WORLD BRIEFING: December 7, 2023
Israel-Hamas War
The Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza has seen heavy fighting as Israeli tanks surround the area. The Hamas-run local authority said about 100,000 people are still in the camp without a functioning hospital and at risk of starvation. No aid has reached the north since the humanitarian truce ended at the start of December. Yesterday, UN chief Antonio Guterres warned that the humanitarian system in Gaza may collapse and public order could completely break down. His comments have been criticised by Israel Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, who called Guterres' tenure a "danger to world peace" - BBC
Hamas officials in Gaza say Israel has killed more than 16,200 people in its retaliatory campaign, including about 7,000 children
Ukraine War
Republicans in the US Senate on Wednesday blocked an effort to provide more funding for Ukraine to fight its war against Russia, delivering another blow to one of the White House’s central foreign policy goals. The bill in the Senate included funding for Israel and Taiwan, but not enough money for border security — a demand of congressional Republicans who said they would not support additional aid for Ukraine without extra curbs on immigration - FT
On the night of December 7, Russians attacked Izmail district with attack drones for almost two hours. Most of the targets were shot down, but there were some hits. The occupiers attacked the port infrastructure of the Danube region. A truck driver was killed. A warehouse, elevator, and trucks were damaged.
Elsewhere
Four Republican candidates vying to emerge as the party's top alternative to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential primary met Wednesday night in Alabama for their fourth debate. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy repeatedly attacked former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, at times accusing her of corruption. Meanwhile, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie slammed Ramaswamy for changing positions and defended Haley against his attacks. There are now less than six weeks until the pivotal Iowa caucuses, a tradition that has historically served as a test of campaigns' organizational strength before the party determines its nominee - CNN