Late night update

Hello MEE readers, 

The United States received more criticism on Sunday for its decision to veto a UN resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as Israel has amplified its offensive, turning Khan Younis, originally part of the designated "safe" areas of southern Gaza, into one of its main battlefields. 

At least 297 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to the local health ministry, bringing the death toll in Gaza to 18,000, with thousands more estimated to be dead under the rubble. 

At least 550 people were wounded during the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, Israel has imprisoned at least 142 women and girls from the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Authority (PA) Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs said in a joint statement with the Palestinian Prisoners' Club on Sunday. Some of the detainees were infants, the groups said. 

Earlier, the World Health Organization chief said it will be all but impossible to improve the "catastrophic" health situation in Gaza even as the board passed an emergency motion by consensus to secure more medical access.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Israel needs to put "a premium" on protecting Gaza civilians and making sure humanitarian assistance can reach those who need it.

"The critical thing is to make sure that the military operations are designed around civilian protection," Blinken said.

"I think the intent is there. But the results are not always manifesting themselves," he continued. 

The comments come two days after the US vetoed a proposed UN resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. It had 13 of the 15-member council's support, with the UK abstaining. 

US Senator Bernie Sanders, in a tweet, spoke out against the Biden administration's decision to veto the UN resolution, calling for immediate action. 

"At a time when Palestinians in Gaza are facing horrific conditions, the U.S. should not be vetoing a UN resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages," Sanders wrote.

"The children in Gaza need food, water, and medical supplies. We must do everything possible to make that happen NOW." 

In Lebanon, all public offices, primary and secondary schools, as well as official and private higher education institutes will be closed on strike on Monday 11 December in support of "the global call for Gaza", Lebanon's LBCI news reported on Twitter.