December 22, 2023

*) Gaza death toll from Israeli attacks hits 20,057 The Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza has soared to 20,057, according to the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave. The ministry added that at least 53,320 others have been injured in Israel’s attacks since October 7. “At least 390 people have been killed and 734 others have been injured in the last 48 hours in which communications were disrupted in the Gaza Strip," it said in a statement. *) UNSC to vote on new Gaza resolution The UN Security Council is expected to meet on Friday to vote on a draft resolution penned by the United Arab Emirates, which reportedly calls for "urgent steps" to allow the safe and unhindered delivery of aid to civilians in Gaza. Intense closed-door negotiations have been carried out all week by the Council to avoid a US veto. According to a report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification scale: "The entire population of Gaza – roughly 2.2 million people – are in crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity." The World Health Organization has said that northern Gaza has been left without a functional hospital due to a lack of fuel, staff and supplies. *) UN says up to 300,000 Sudanese fled their homes after a notorious group seized their safe haven Fighting between Sudan's military and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group has forced up to 300,000 people to flee their homes in a province that had once been a safe haven for displaced people, according to the UN. The fighting erupted in the city of Wad Medani, the provincial capital of Jazeera province, after the Rapid Support Forces attacked the city earlier this month. The RSF said that it took over Wad Medani earlier this week, and the military said that its troops withdrew from the city, and an investigation has been opened. *) Ukraine says downed 24 of 28 Russian drones overnight Ukraine says it had downed 24 out of 28 Iranian-made drones launched by Russia overnight as two Kiev residents were reported injured by a drone attack on a residential building. Air raid sirens were heard in Kiev late Thursday and residents heard loud explosions. City hall initially said air defences were in action, calling on people to stay in shelters. Russian missiles and drones frequently target the Ukrainian capital but are usually shot down by air defence systems. And finally… *) France to close its embassy in Niger for an 'indefinite period' France will close its diplomatic mission in Niger, according to a letter sent to embassy staff and seen by The Associated Press. The news that the embassy in the capital Niamey is to close comes as France prepares to withdraw its last remaining military forces from the Sahel state this month. Relations between France and Niger have been in crisis since the coup d’etat in July against democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, and Paris’ refusal to collaborate with the military junta ruling the country.