US vetoes UN resolution for Gaza ceasefire

By Nathan Morley

Israeli tanks are advancing towards the center of Khan Younis as fierce battles continue in the southern Gaza Strip.

Israel’s military campaign remains intense.

Over the last few hours, there have been reports of house-to-house fighting in Khan Younis. Most of the population is thought to have fled to coastal areas, or further south to Rafah, not far from the border with Egypt.

UN Security Council resolution

Meanwhile, the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, has accused the United States of being complicit in war crimes after it vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The United Kingdom abstained from the vote.

Humanitarian catastrophe

Before the vote prepared by the United Arab Emirates – the United Nations chief António Guterres said the people of Gaza were “looking into the abyss”.

In a separate incident on Saturday, the Israeli air force hit Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

It is now nine weeks since Hamas raided southern Israel - killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages, including many women and children.

Since then, Hamas say Israel has killed more than 17,400 people in its retaliatory campaign.