Israel delaying aid into Gaza as ‘pressure’ tactic: Egypt president
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi says the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza is open 24/7 but Israeli procedures hamper the entrance of aid.
“This is part of how they exert pressure on the issue of releasing the hostages,” el-Sisi said.
Earlier, Israeli protesters – including family members of captives held in Gaza – blocked the entrance of the Israel-controlled Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing in an attempt to prevent aid trucks from entering Gaza. They don’t want any humanitarian relief going into the war-ravaged territory until captives are released.
‘Israel’s Victory’ conference to discuss settlement-building in Gaza
Hardline Israeli ministers – led by Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party – will hold a conference on Sunday in West Jerusalem to discuss the possibility of building settlements in Gaza after the war.
According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, the conference, titled “Israel’s Victory”, will be attended by thousands of Israelis from religious and nationalist movements, including 20 ministers and members of the Knesset. “The talk is about a conference for a coalition of settlement organisations in the Gaza Strip, which is led by the head of the settlement council in the West Bank, Yossi Dagan, and the Nahala settlement movement,” the newspaper reported.
WHO: Seven of 24 hospitals ‘partially operating’ in northern Gaza
The World Health Organization (WHO) says seven out of 24 hospitals are “partially functioning” in northern Gaza and suffering a shortage of personnel and supplies. The facilities are “without enough specialised medical staff to manage the volume and range of injuries, nor sufficient medicines and medical supplies, fuel, clean water, or food for patients or staff”, the WHO said in a statement.
It delivered 19,000 litres (5,000 gallons) of fuel to al-Shifa Hospital on Tuesday after facing delays at a checkpoint and on damaged roads. “Essential services such as basic laboratory and radiological facilities remain operational along with emergency care, a surgical unit with three operation theaters, post-operative care, and a dialysis unit,” it said, adding the hospital’s primary oxygen plant has been destroyed.
Israeli troops restricting movement of PRCS staff in Khan Younis: Organisation
The Palestine Red Crescent Society says Israeli soldiers are surrounding its teams inside the organisation’s headquarters and at al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis. The troops are “enforcing restrictions on movement around both the building and the hospital”, it said in a post on X.
Thousands died over lack of first aid supplies in Gaza: Civil defence
The civil defence team in the Gaza Strip says the absence of primary medical aid supplies has led to the deaths of thousands of Palestinians. It also pointed out lives and safety of children in shelter centres are threatened because of the cold weather and prevailing poor conditions. The policy of targeting populated centres continues on a daily basis in the Gaza City area and elsewhere in the north, the emergency services added.
A civil defence member uses a hammer to search for survivors after Israeli attacks
Israeli tanks, drones shoot dead civilians at Nasser Hospital
People fleeing the vicinity of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis have been shot at by Israeli tanks as well as attack drones. Civil defence crews are trying to collect the bodies and identify the dead. The number of killed is expected to grow in the coming hours.
To the western part of Khan Younis, we have seen a surge in aerial attacks as well as artillery shelling. Entire families are being surrounded by Israeli military tanks and armoured vehicles. They are ordered to evacuate from their homes and to get outside. Women are separated from the men with their hands on top of their heads.
The compound of Al-Aqsa University, where thousands have been sheltering, is effectively under military siege. No one can get out of that area. Anyone who tries to leave risks losing their life as there is constant shelling and attacks by land and by air.
Israeli forces isolate Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis: Health Ministry
Gaza’s Ministry of Health says the Israeli army has isolated the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis. The ministry confirmed the hospital is in urgent need of medical supplies, food and fuel, noting there are about 400 dialysis patients who cannot access treatment.
Hundreds of wounded people, sick patients and maternity cases are facing serious complications as a result of the lack of access to the hospital, the ministry added.
‘Mass casualties’ after attack on Khan Younis shelter causes fire: UNRWA
Thomas White, the director of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip, says that a building complex sheltering tens of thousands of displaced people in Khan Younis has caught fire after it was hit amid escalating fighting.
“Safe access to/from the centre has been denied for two days,” he said in a post on X, adding that people remain “trapped”.
Fighting is escalating in Khan Younis #Gaza - the @UNRWA Training Centre sheltering 10Ks of displaced people has just been hit - buildings ablaze and mass casualties - safe access to/from the centre has been denied for 2 days - people are trapped.
— Thomas White (@TomWhiteCW8) January 24, 2024
At least 25,700 dead in war on Gaza; 210 killed in past day
Gaza’s Health Ministry says at least 25,700 people have now been killed in the besieged Palestinian territory since the war began on October 7. At least 210 people were killed over the past 24 hours with nearly 400 others wounded. A statement said the number of injured now stands at 63,740 since the fighting started.
Update: No confirmation of court ruling on Israel genocide case
In response to a news report, South Africa’s Justice Department spokesperson Chrispin Phiri posted: “We do not have an official communication from the court as to when the judgment will be delivered.”
A spokesperson for Israel’s Foreign Ministry said he was unaware and was looking into it. Earlier, News24 reported a South African government delegation touched down in The Hague in anticipation of the International Court of Justice judgement.
