Top UN court orders Israel to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza; The United States and the United Kingdom carry out new attacks on Houthi targets.
Here’s how things are going on Saturday January 27, 2024:
Tensions in the Red Sea
- The United States and the United Kingdom launched two air attacks targeting the port of Ras Issa in Yemen’s Hodeidah province, Al Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, reported.
- Yemen’s Houthi fighters have stepped up attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea. One of their impacts started a fire on a tanker truck, but no injuries were reported.
- The US military says it has destroyed a Houthi anti-ship missile in Yemen ready to be launched towards the Red Sea.
- Cruise line Carnival has joined the growing list of companies reporting that their operations could be affected by Houthi attacks.
ICJ decision
- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague has ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and do more to help civilians, although it stopped short of calling for a ceasefire. -fire as requested by the complainant, South Africa.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the ICJ ruling and said Israel would continue to defend itself and its citizens while adhering to international law.
- Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, said the move was an important development that helped isolate Israel and expose its crimes in Gaza.
- More general reactions here.
Diplomacy
- US President Joe Biden spoke with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, about Gaza. They agreed that efforts to secure the release of prisoners captured by Hamas were essential to ensuring a longer pause in fighting, the White House said.
- Argentine President Javier Milei said he would visit Israel in the “coming weeks”, one of his first trips abroad since the libertarian economist took office last month after promising a strong support for Israel during his campaign.
- The White House expressed hope for progress in negotiations to free captives held by Hamas in Gaza as Biden’s Middle East envoy Brett McGurk returned to Washington, D.C., after a trip to the region.
- German public broadcaster ARD said Israel was preventing two of its longtime Palestinian workers from leaving Gaza, where they fear for their lives, citing security concerns that the channel said made no sense.
- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) announced that it had opened an investigation into several employees suspected of being involved in the October 7 attacks.
Other developments
- Israeli protesters blocked the entry into Gaza of humanitarian aid trucks carrying essential supplies of flour, food, tents and hygiene items, the UN said.
- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said “vital medical services have collapsed at Nasser Hospital” due to heavy fighting and shelling around the key Khan Younis medical facility.
- A 27-year-old Palestinian shot dead by Israeli forces northeast of Jenin has died from his injuries, according to Palestinian media.