A special session of the UN General Assembly is scheduled for Tuesday, prompted by the invocation of resolution 377, “Uniting for Peace,” by Egypt and Mauritania.
The UN General Assembly is expected to vote on a draft resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, following the US veto of a previous UN Security Council resolution.
Meanwhile, Italy, France, and Germany have jointly urged the European Union to impose ad hoc sanctions against Hamas and its supporters. France also considers national sanctions on those involved in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Reflecting on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UN human rights chief Volker Turk expressed concern for the millions suffering in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza, and in Israel.
Turk’s office has refrained from using the term “celebrate” when referring to the anniversary, opting instead for “mark,” highlighting the surrounding current global affairs.
As the UN General Assembly prepares for the special session, Israeli tanks have reached the centre of Khan Younis, where civilians have sought refuge from the fighting in the north.
Israel killed 23 Palestinains in air raids on the Maghazi refugee camp. The Israeli forces intensified their military operation in the northern Gaza Strip, forcing dozens to flee the Awni al-Harthani School in Beit Lahia. The Director of the Health Ministry in Gaza has confirmed that 50,000 people have been injured in the northern part of the strip.
In the occupied West Bank, at least 28 Palestinians, including two women, have been arrested by Israeli forces.
As air raids continue in central and northern Gaza, ground fighting has been reported in the southern part of the Strip. Since 7 October, Isreal has killed over 18,000 Palestinians. Israel announced the deaths of four more soldiers, bringing the total IDF death toll to 101 during the ground offensive in Gaza.
Reports said two Hezbollah fighters lost their lives in Israeli attacks near the Syrian capital, Damascus. UN forces in Lebanon have warned of a wider conflict as Isreal pressed ahead with intensified attacks on Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.