Morning Update: Palestinians begin general strike as Israel continues air raids on Gaza

Good morning, 

Here are the latest updates on the unfolding situation, as Palestinians begin a nationwide general strike to protest the rise of violence in Gaza and the rest of historic Palestine. 

- Plumes of smoke were seen rising in Gaza City in the early hours of Tuesday morning after Israel resumed its bombardment of the besieged enclave. 

- Palestinians in the occupied territories and Israel began a general strike on Tuesday. The last time a nationwide general strike was called was in 1936 to oppose the British mandate's policies in Palestine. 

-  The Palestinian health ministry confirmed that Israel destroyed Gaza's only functioning coronavirus testing facility. 

- The UN Security Council is expected to meet on Tuesday after the US blocked a statement condemning Israel's actions in Gaza. 

- Israeli air strikes on Gaza have killed at least 212 Palestinians, including dozens of children, over the past nine days. 

- Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz thanked the Biden administration for blocking a UN Security Council statement condemning the escalating violence in Gaza.