The leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, is expected in Cairo for talks on a fresh ceasefire in Gaza. Israeli President Isaac Herzog has said his country was ready for another humanitarian pause
Efforts to get a United Nations Security Council ceasefire motion are set to resume after Tuesday’s vote was delayed. The US says it is working with other members on the text, but it has vetoed previous resolutions
Aid agencies have voiced anger and frustration over the continued plight of civilians in Gaza ahead of the vote. Hamas broke through Israel’s heavily guarded perimeter on 7 October, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages – some of whom were released during a brief truce
Nearly 20,000 people are now reported to have been killed and more than 52,000 injured in Gaza since the start of the war
Haniyeh talks to focus on war in Gaza
Ismail Haniyeh talks with Egyptian officials will focus on developments in the Hamas war with Israel in the Gaza Strip, according to Reuters.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has said his country was ready for another humanitarian pause in Gaza to enable the release of hostages.
Liberia to vote for ceasefire
Liberia has reversed its vote against a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza following a directive by President George Weah.
Liberia was the only African nation among the 10 countries that voted against a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza during the vote held on 12 December.
Its diplomats who had voted against the motion had lacked the president’s approval, the Liberian government said on Wednesday.
“The Liberian Foreign Ministry has therefore ensured the reversal of the negative vote through the appropriate channels at the United Nations General Assembly and registered a new vote in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza,” authorities said.
