European Union diplomats push for new sanctions against Hamas
ROME — The French, German and Italian foreign ministers are pushing for speedy adoption of new E.U. sanctions against Hamas for its “atrocious and indiscriminate terror attacks” against Israel on Oct. 7.
“The swift adoption of this sanctions regime will allow us to send a strong political message about the European Union’s commitment against Hamas and our solidarity with Israel,” the three ministers wrote in a letter today to Josep Borrell, the bloc’s high representative for foreign affairs.
The letter does not detail possible sanctions, but said it should enable the targeting of Hamas members, affiliated groups and supporters. The ministers said they broadly support a framework that Borrell outlined last week.
Foreign ministers of the 27-member bloc are meeting in Brussels today. The E.U. on Friday froze the funds and other assets in Europe of the commander general of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Deif, and deputy commander Marwan Issa.
Hostages in Gaza will not be released except through an exchange, Qassam Brigades says
The military-wing of Hamas, the Qassam Brigades, said yesterday that no hostages will be released without an exchange agreement.
"The enemy’s prisoners have not and will not be released except through an exchange," spokesperson Abu Udaid said, adding said Israel cannot take the hostages alive "without exchanging or abiding by the conditions of resistance."
Israel releases names of Hamas' hostages believed to be dead
Israel released the names of 20 hostages that it believes to be dead under Hamas' captivity.
The names include Shani Louk, a 23-year-old who attended the Supernova music festival. Her family had earlier announced her death.
The families of those still held hostage by Hamas, and those who have been released, continue to press for the freeing of 137 people who remain in captivity. Israel reiterated today that one of its primary goals continues to be the rescue of remaining hostages.
Rockets fired from Gaza strike Israeli city of Holon
Israeli security forces and residents gather at the scene of a rocket attack from Gaza that hit a residential area in Israel’s central coastal city of Holon today.
Israeli military says it is focusing on three Hamas strongholds
The Israeli military is fighting in three areas it says are Hamas' strongholds: Sajaiya, Jabalia and the Khan Younis area, Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said yesterday.
"There are fierce and difficult battles, when terrorists emerge from the tunnels, planting explosives, and coming with RPG squads, a battle ensues," he said in a news conference.
Hagari added that the IDF has secured the heart of Gaza City, which houses properties and offices of senior Hamas officials.
More than 50 Palestinians transferred to Egyptian hospital
A total of 27 injured Palestinians along with 27 of their relatives entered Egypt yesterday and were transferred to the Al-Arish General Hospital, the head of the Egyptian Red Crescent in North Sinai, Dr. Khaled Zayed, told NBC News.
He added that dozens of trucks were also lined up in front of the Rafah crossing waiting to cross in to Gaza, including seven fuel and gas trucks.
IDF airdrops 7 tons of water to its troops in Gaza
The IDF today conducted its first aerial supply drop in Gaza, it said, parachuting 7 tons of water to hundreds of its soldiers in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
Meanwhile, a dire food and water shortage is putting many at risk of infection and death in Gaza, with 1.9 million Palestinians displaced across the Gaza Strip.
Since Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks, Israel blocked any supply of food or water to the enclave for weeks, only to later allow a few dozen trucks with supplies a day, which aid agencies say is nowhere near enough.
Netanyahu says Hamas is at ‘beginning of the end’
Israel says Hamas’ grip on power in Gaza is being broken and released footage of fighters allegedly turning in their weapons and surrendering. This comes as the fighting intensifies and families of the remaining 137 hostages worry about their conditions. NBC’s Richard Engel reports for "TODAY."
U.N. Security Council envoys travel to Gaza-Egypt border
A dozen U.N. Security Council envoys flew to Egypt to visit the border with the Gaza Strip today just days after Secretary-General António Guterres warned that thousands of people in the besieged Palestinian enclave were “simply starving.”
The envoys landed in the town of Arish to be briefed by the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, on the situation inside Gaza before setting off toward the Rafah crossing 30 miles away. On their journey they passed dozens of trucks backed up waiting to deliver aid to desperate Gaza residents.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini described an “implosion of civil order” in which Gazans who have not eaten for days were looting aid distribution centers and stopping trucks on roads as they tried to secure supplies for their families.
The United Arab Emirates' U.N. ambassador, Lana Nusseibeh, said the aim of the visit was “to learn first-hand what is needed in terms of a humanitarian operations scale-up that meet the needs of the Palestinian people in Gaza.” She noted it was not an official Security Council visit.
The U.S. is not sending a representative on the trip.
At least 40 U.N. facilities directly hit since war began, UNRWA says
As many as 40 different United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) installations have been directly hit since the war began, according to a report released today.
At least 284 people staying in the agency's shelters have been killed, and another 976 have been injured since Oct. 7, the report added.
A UNRWA staff member was killed Dec. 9, bringing the total to 134 people associated with the agency who have been killed.