57th Day of the Israel-Hamas Conflict: Essential Events : Analysis

On Saturday, December 2, 2023, the situation in Gaza escalated, resulting in the deaths of over 180 Palestinians and injuries to around 600 according to Gaza’s health ministry. The Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad responded to Israel’s attacks by launching rockets and mortars towards Israeli cities and settlements. The head of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, described Gaza as the “most dangerous place in the world to be a child” during a presentation to the United Nations Security Council. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that 61 journalists have been killed since the start of the war in Gaza. Fighting also resumed across the Israel-Lebanon border, leading to three deaths in southern Lebanon. Qatar, which has been mediating truce efforts, stated that talks are ongoing but the renewed bombardment of Gaza has complicated matters. United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin attributed the failure of the truce to Hamas, blaming them for not meeting conditions on hostages and an attack in Jerusalem. Hamas responded by accusing the US of giving a green light for Israeli actions. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep regret over the restart of military operations in Gaza, while UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths renewed calls for a truce, emphasizing the dire situation faced by Palestinians. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that all aid deliveries into Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt had been stopped by Israeli forces. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for the resumption of aid deliveries at the same frequency and scope that was allowed during the previous truce. Israel has informed some Arab states of its plans to create a buffer zone on the Palestinian side of Gaza’s border as part of proposals for the area’s future. The US has allegedly provided Israel with various weapons and ammunition, including bunker-buster bombs. Israel’s consul general to the US’s southeast accused a protester who set themselves on fire outside the country’s consulate in Atlanta, Georgia, of acting out of hatred for Israel.

Source: Aljazeera news: Israel-Hamas war: List of key events, day 57