Israel-Hamas war: List of key events, day 63 Gaza’s ‘literary giant’ Refaat Alareer has been killed as deaths in the enclave mount – here are major updates. Al Jazeera · Dec 8, 2023
Friday briefing: Why a deadlock in the US senate could have dire consequences for Ukraine In today’s newsletter: A Republican block on more aid for Kyiv could have an impact on its efforts to defend itself from Russian invasion The Guardian - UK · Dec 8, 2023
Will Netanyahu risk a tunnel conflict to ‘eradicate Hamas’, stay in power? Israeli forces may risk a fight under Gaza as a politically embattled Netanyahu looks for a total defeat of Hamas. Al Jazeera · Dec 8, 2023
Melbourne’s Anna Schwartz gallery drops artist Mike Parr after political piece on Israel-Gaza war Gallery owner, who has represented Parr for 36 years, says she was sickened by ‘hate graffiti’ in the work, but denies censoring it and has kept it on display The Guardian - AU · Dec 8, 2023
Israel's AI can produce 100 bombing targets a day in Gaza. Is this the future of war? Last week, reports emerged that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are using an artificial intelligence (AI) system called Habsora (Hebrew for “The Gospel”) to select targets in the war on Hamas in Gaza. The system has reportedly been used to find more targets for bombing, to link locations to Hamas… The Conversation · Dec 8, 2023
US highlights ‘gap’ in Israel’s commitment to protect civilians in Gaza In some of the strongest criticism of Israel’s conduct in its war with Hamas, Antony Blinken says Israel must put a ‘premium on civilian protection’ The Guardian - AU · Dec 8, 2023
UN Security Council To Consider Urging Gaza Ceasefire The UN Security Council meets on Gaza Friday under acute pressure from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and will vote on urging an immediate ceasefire after weeks of ruinous war. International Business Times · Dec 8, 2023
US vetoes UN Security Council resolution demanding humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza The United States on Friday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have called for an immediate ceasefire in the intense fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The United States' deputy representative at the UN, Robert Wood, said the resolution was "divorced from reality" and "would have not… France 24 · Dec 8, 2023
Gaza And Instagram Make An Explosive Mix In Hollywood Hollywood celebrities are paying the price for taking sides in the Gaza war -- plastering their social media accounts with slogans such as "Free Palestine" or "I stand with Israel". International Business Times · Dec 8, 2023
Israel Pursues Hamas In And Around Gaza's Biggest Cities Israel pressed on with its offensive in and around Gaza's main cities on Friday, more than two months after Hamas's deadly attack sparked a war that has claimed thousands of lives and left the Palestinian territory in ruins. International Business Times · Dec 8, 2023
International factors driving petrol price pain Higher international fuel prices driven by oil production cuts and strong demand, combined with a lower US dollar exchange rate, are pushing up petrol prices. AAP · Dec 8, 2023
Blinken urges Israel to finish probe into killing of journalist in Lebanon Blinken’s comments come after rights groups say Israel should be investigated over possible war crime. Al Jazeera · Dec 8, 2023
Israel-Hamas Conflict: New Truce Deal Elusive; Hamas Claims Hostage Killed In Rescue Attempt On Day 63 of the Israel-Hamas conflict, fire exchanges have intensified further in Israel's northern border with Lebanon even as the Israeli army moves deeper into Khan Yunis to hunt down Hamas' top leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar. International Business Times · Dec 8, 2023
Foreign minister plans to visit Israel within weeks Penny Wong will visit the Middle East within weeks, following a bipartisan delegation travelling to Israel. AAP · Dec 8, 2023
WEKU · Dec 7, 2023 Emhoff says 3 college presidents showed a 'lack of moral clarity' on antisemitism Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Harris, is the highest-level official to criticize the presidents of Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania for their testimony this week.
The Independent UK · Dec 7, 2023 Marking start of Hanukkah, Emhoff condemns antisemitism, says Biden and Harris 'have your back' Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, says American Jews are “feeling alone” and “in pain” as he denounces rising antisemitism in the U.S. and abroad, particularly amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war
The Independent UK · Dec 7, 2023 Israel urges Gaza civilians to flee to 'safe zone,' where arrivals find little but muddy roads Israel has designated a small slice of land along Gaza’s Mediterranean coast as a safe zone
WEKU · Dec 7, 2023 This year's Hanukkah celebrations are tempered by Israel's war with Hamas To get a sense of how synagogues are celebrating the holiday, we hear from two rabbis about their congregations' plans to celebrate Hanukkah.
The Independent UK · Dec 7, 2023 Senate Democrats call for conditions on US aid to Israel two months into war with Hamas Republicans blocked a vote on a $110.5bn supplemental bill that would have included aid not just to Israel but also to Ukraine
WEKU · Dec 7, 2023 Reuters releases investigation finding Israeli tank fire killed 1 of its journalists The news agency says it found evidence that Israeli forces were responsible for the October death of journalist Issam Abdallah. Israel's military is investigating but says it doesn't target the press.
The Hindu · Dec 7, 2023 Gaza in flames: On Israel’s expanding offensive The U.S. and other major regional powers should press Israel and Hamas to restart negotiations to find a lasting ceasefire
Zenger · Dec 7, 2023 Female IDF Soldiers Prove Their Valor In Battle With Hamas Heroic actions of female troops put to rest the debate over their role in combat units
USAFacts · Dec 7, 2023 USAFacts’ 10 most-read articles of 2023 The reports USAFacts readers loved the most in 2023.
The Conversation · Dec 7, 2023 Holocaust comparisons are overused -- but in the case of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel they may reflect more than just the emotional response of a traumatized people Many observers have referred to the massacre of Israelis by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, as the deadliest attack against the Jewish people in a single day “since the Holocaust.”
The Independent UK · Dec 7, 2023 US says Israel ‘cannot’ let rate of Gaza civilian casualties continue Secretary of State Antony Blinken says there is a ‘gap’ between Israel’s words and actions on protecting cilivians