Attempt to suspend fighting in Gaza continues

By Nathan Morley

There will be another attempt at the UN Security Council today to hold a vote to call for a suspension of fighting in Gaza.

The vote has already been delayed three times this week as diplomats wrangled over terms that would avoid a US veto.  It appears the main sticking point regards the text proposal to have a UN mechanism to monitor aid into Gaza.

The United Arab Emirates, which proposed the vote, says there is too much suffering on the ground for the Security Council’s attempt to fail.

Elsewhere, Israel has said the Iran backed group Hezbollah in Lebanon fired rockets overnight at several northern Israeli towns, following a day of cross border exchanges with the Israeli army.

Lebanon radio reported that the Israeli air force conducted air strikes hitting a forested area not far from the frontier.

In Gaza itself, fighting has continued near Khan Younis. The IDF claims to have unearthed a network of tunnels in Gaza City with entrances connected to the houses of Hamas chiefs.

On Tuesday, the head of Hamas held talks in Cairo understood to be connected for the push for another temporary truce in fighting and the exchange of prisoners and hostages.

Meanwhile, the Hamas-run health ministry reported that 20,000 people are now known to have been killed since Israel commenced its campaign after the 7 October Hamas raid on Israel.