by Lorenzo Cremonesi, correspondent and online editor
The news from Sunday, December 17th, on the conflict between Israel and Hamas, live. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock say the goal must be a peace that lasts “for generations.”
• It is the 71st day of the war: According to Hamas, over 19,000 Palestinians have been killed, including 7,112 children. In Israel, 1,200 people died in the attack on October 7th.
• IDF: “Three hostages accidentally killed in fighting in Gaza.”
• Two cargo ships were attacked in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
• The words and acronyms to understand the conflict: Here is the glossary.
• The history of the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, explained here.
3:15 a.m. – Death of a cameraman in Gaza, Al Jazeera prepares a report
Al Jazeera has ordered its legal team to file a complaint with the International Criminal Court over the death of its cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa in Gaza. The Qatar-based television channel explained this – as CNN reported – in a note: “On Saturday, December 16, 2023, the channel established a joint working group, composed of its international legal team and international legal experts, which will begin the process of compilation a complete file to be submitted to the public prosecutor’s office,” we read. Abu Daqqa died last Friday after being injured in an Israeli attack. Al Jazeera called his death an “assassination.” The “recurring attacks on network operators working and operating in the occupied Palestinian territories and cases of sedition against them” will also be included in the file for the International Criminal Court.
2:02 a.m. – Gaza, London and Berlin call for a “permanent” ceasefire
London and Berlin are calling for a “permanent ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip. The request comes from British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, who see an “urgent need” for a “permanent ceasefire”. “We must do everything possible,” said a joint statement in the Sunday Times, to pave the way for a lasting ceasefire that leads to lasting peace. The sooner the better, the need is urgent. Too many civilians were killed. Our goal cannot simply be to end the fighting today. It must be a peace that lasts days, years, generations. That is why we support a ceasefire, but only if it is permanent.” However, they add: “We do not believe that calling for a general and immediate ceasefire now, in the hope that it will come to one, is the right way forward or otherwise becomes permanent.” This would be tantamount to “ignoring the reason Israel is forced to defend itself: Hamas has barbarically attacked Israel and continues to fire rockets every day to kill Israeli citizens.” Hamas must lay down its weapons.”
December 17, 2023 (modified December 17, 2023 | 05:22)
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