Live Blog Update| Israel's genocide in Gaza
This is an entry from: Israel-Palestine live: Biden urges Egypt, Qatar to press Hamas for hostage deal

Late night update

26 March 2024 00:04 GMT

Hello MEE readers. Monday marked the 171st day of Israel's war in Gaza. The number 171 is also the number of Unrwa staff members killed by Israeli forces in Gaza.

On Monday, the UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire after the US abstained from the vote. The US used its veto power to reject several similar resolutions since October, but decided not to weigh in on Monday, allowing the measure to pass.

The decision was met with outrage by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who in response cancelled an Israeli delegation to Washington that was meant to discuss the options for an invasion of Gaza's southern city Rafah.

UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese also released a damning report on Monday, outlining how Israel had crossed the threshold of genocide in Gaza.

Here's what else you need to know from Monday's developments:

  • The US State Department said the Israeli decision not to come for scheduled talks with American officials was "surprising and unfortunate".

  • Hamas has informed mediators that the group will stick to its original position on reaching a comprehensive ceasefire rather than a temporary one.

  • The US said it conducted another airdrop of humanitarian aid into northern Gaza on Monday.

  • US presidential candidate Donald Trump said that Israel should "finish up" its war on Gaza, saying that it is losing international credibility.

  • The military wing of Hamas, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, said it fired rockets towards the southern Israeli city of Ashdod on Monday. It was the first such attack in weeks.

  • Survivors of al-Shifa Hospital raid spoke to MEE about the torture and abuse that occurred. You can read that story here.

  • The relationship between Israel and the Biden administration has hit its lowest point since the start of the Gaza war, after the US abstained from UN vote on Monday. Read the full analysis here.