Gaza death toll surpasses 20,000 as UN Security Council delays vote on aid
Al Jazeera
The grim milestone comes as the UN’s top decision-making body postpones a key vote on Gaza aid for the third time.
At least 20,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israel began bombarding the enclave more than 10 weeks ago, according to Palestinian officials.
At least 8,000 children and 6,200 women are among those killed, Gaza’s Government Media Office said on Wednesday.
The grim milestone was passed as the United Nations Security Council postponed a key vote on a bid to boost humanitarian aid for Gaza for the third time to avoid a veto from the United States, which traditionally shields its ally Israel from UN action.
Since a seven-day truce collapsed on December 1, the war has entered a more intensive phase with ground combat previously confined to the northern half of the territory now spread across its length.
When asked about the ever-growing casualty count, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it is “clear that the conflict will move and needs to move to a lower intensity phase”.
A late start, a failure to differentiate herself from Biden, and the loss of key voting groups made victory impossible.
Lebanese officials said dozens of Israel air strikes in the east of the country have killed 40 people, wounded 53.
Polls show Republican and Democratic presidential candidates locked in close fight as Election Day voting set to begin.
In last day of campaigning for Republican, Democratic presidential candidates, polls indicate race couldn’t be tighter.
My grandfather survived the first Nakba in 1948; he didn’t make it to the end of the second – this war waged by Israel.
Trump’s first term showed that while a win for him could help Russia in Ukraine, it would bring its own challenges, too.
The candidates will hold rallies in Nevada today, where Harris will be joined by Jennifer Lopez.