Israel-Gaza Conflict: Day 98 Key Events Roundup

As we enter the 98th day of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, recent developments have shaped the narrative on both the ground and diplomatic fronts. Below are the pivotal occurrences as of Friday, January 12, 2024.

Latest Updates and Human Impact

• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) conducted its first day of hearings regarding the genocide case filed by South Africa against Israel.
• Israel is scheduled to present its defense against the allegations of genocide made by South African lawyers at The Hague.
• United States officials stated that joint military actions by the US and UK forces involved the use of submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets to target a dozen stations operated by Yemen’s Houthi rebel faction on Thursday, signaling a reprisal effort.
• Wafa, the Palestinian news agency, reported a devastating Israeli air strike on a residence in the Shawka neighborhood, east of Rafah in southern Gaza, which resulted in the death of at least nine Palestinian civilians and injuries to several others.
• A separate Israeli air strike targeted a vehicle in the Al-Manara neighborhood of Khan Younis, situated in southern Gaza, killing at least eight Palestinian civilians on Thursday evening, according to local sources.
• In central Gaza, another Israeli bomb struck a home in the al-Masha'la neighborhood west of Deir el-Balah, claiming at least five lives, Shehab news agency reported.
• A report by Save the Children revealed a grim statistic, indicating that at least 10,000 children – approximately one percent of the child population in Gaza – have been killed since the onset of the conflict nearly 100 days ago.

Diplomacy

• A confidential source informed Al Jazeera that Russia has communicated to the United Nations Security Council its stance against the use of force in Yemen, considering it a breach of the UN Charter.
• Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, condemned the US and UK attacks on Houthi locations, labeling them as an explicit transgression of Yemeni sovereignty and integrity, in violation of international laws.
• The European Union Foreign Affairs High Representative, Josep Borrell, took to social media on Thursday to voice criticism on Israeli officials’ propositions regarding the “voluntary displacement” of Palestinians in Gaza.
• Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh addressed attendees at Nelson Mandela Square in Ramallah, commending South Africa for initiating legal action against Israel at the ICJ.

West Bank Raids

• Reports of ongoing clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian groups have emerged from Nur Shams camp, located to the east of Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank.
• Intense confrontations ensued in Jaba, south of Jenin, following a military raid where Israeli forces encircled a house, culminating in the shooting death of a 37-year-old former prisoner, Majdy Fashafsha, by Israeli troops.
• Settlers engaged in the bulldozing of a substantial piece of land in Masafer Yatta, owned by Palestinian residents, near Hebron on Thursday.

The escalating situation in the region remains the center of international scrutiny as diplomatic efforts and responses continue to unfold. The conflict has undeniably left a profound humanitarian impact on the lives of thousands, particularly innocent civilians and children.