WORLD BRIEFING: December 18, 2023
Israel - Hamas War
Israel will gradually transition to the next phase of operations in Gaza, the country's defence minister said on Monday following talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about lower intensity combat and ways to reduce harm to civilians. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the local population would likely be able to first return to Gaza's north, which was the most populated area of the Mediterranean enclave before Israel's invasion in retaliation for the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks - Reuters
British foreign minister David Cameron will call for increased coordination between allies to address the "desperate" humanitarian situation in Gaza during a visit to Paris and Rome on Tuesday, his office said. “As we face some of the greatest challenges to international security in a lifetime, our response must be one of strength and resilience with our European allies," said Cameron, a former prime minister who took over the foreign secretary role about a month ago - Reuters
A vote on a draft resolution before the UN Security Council calling for a humanitarian pause in fighting in Gaza was postponed to Tuesday.
And as the days pass, Israel diplomatic isolation is increasing. That’s on top of concerns that the intense bombing is going to do the reverse of the goal to eradicate Hamas extremists - create even more radicalised people in Gaza.
From the humanitarian aid perspective, the scenes coming out of Gaza are unlike anything we’ve ever see before. There seems to be little organised distribution. People are clearly at the end of their tether and raiding incoming aid lorries. In our business it’s absolutely worst case scenario.
The U.S. stance on Israel’s actions conflict with U.S. claims to be an ethical power. It will also severely undermine US credibility when it speaks out on the war in Ukraine - and other zones of conflict (ie Myanmar, areas of China) where international humanitarian law is being violated. The U.S. will pay a very heavy price henceforth, I believe.
U.S. made 2,000lb bombs are being used in Gaza by Israel, according to New York Times reporting. This compares to the common 250-500lb bombs targeting Ukraine by Russia. But the Gaza strikes happening in much much more densely populated areas. Analysts believe that even 500lb bombs are too large for strikes in urban areas in other theatres of war
Ukraine War
Russia launched five drones at four Ukrainian regions early on December 18, but the attacks were repelled by Ukrainian air defense, the military said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will hold a year-end news conference on December 19 as he and his military leaders continue their efforts to bolster domestic morale and maintain Western support as the war with Russia heads toward its third bloody and destructive year. Meanwhile, the European Union Council on December 18 adopted a 12th package of sanctions against Russia, placing restrictions on trade in diamonds and the supply of parts that can be used in the production of weapons, as well as tightened requirements for compliance with the "price ceiling" for Russian oil - RFE/RL
Ukraine has warned it is already being forced to downsize some military operations because of a drop-off in foreign aid. Top general Oleksandr Tarnavskyi said troops faced ammunition shortages along the "entire front line", creating a "big problem" for Kyiv. It comes as billions of dollars of US and EU aid have been held up amid political wrangles. Ukraine said it hoped to boost its own ammunition industry with western help - BBC
Elsewhere
Pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai is set to stand trial Monday in Hong Kong, where he faces internationally condemned national security charges that could send him to jail for life. Lai, 76, founded the now-shuttered Chinese-language tabloid Apple Daily, which often bashed Beijing and supported the huge protest movement that roiled Hong Kong in 2019. He stands accused of "collusion" with foreign forces under a sweeping national security law that Beijing imposed on the finance hub in 2020. The trial -- scheduled to be heard in open court over the next 80 working days -- will be closely watched as a barometer for the city's political freedoms and judicial independence - France 24
Oil giant BP will pause all shipments of oil through the Red Sea after recent attacks on vessels by Houthi rebels. The firm blamed the "deteriorating security situation" in the region as Iran-backed Houthis target ships they believe are bound for Israel. Many freight firms have suspended journeys as the attacks continue - BBC