November 9, 2023

*) Israel carries out air strikes near Gaza hospitals Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza, which houses thousands of patients and refugees, has been targeted by Israeli missiles. This is according to Palestinian news agency WAFA. The simultaneous use of illumination flares during the attacks resulted in shrapnel damage to the hospital's surroundings. Another air strike near Al Nasr Children's Hospital in the western part of the city killed three Palestinians and left dozens more wounded. Meanwhile, Israeli artillery fired rounds towards the eastern part of the city of Rafah. *) Israel's systematic bombing of housing in Gaza a 'war crime': UN expert An independent United Nations expert has said the widespread and systematic bombardment of housing and civilian infrastructure in Gaza amounts to a war crime and a crime against humanity. The UN special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing said these moves by Israel are strictly prohibited under international law. A month of Israeli attacks on targets within Gaza have destroyed or damaged 45 percent of all housing units in the Palestinian territory. *) G7 foreign ministers call for 'humanitarian pauses' in Gaza Meanwhile, the G7 foreign ministers have issued a statement, supporting Israel's right to defend itself, while calling for humanitarian pauses in the fighting. After meeting in Tokyo, the diplomats repeated their support for Israel's self-defence and its goal of removing Hamas. But they also insisted there must be pauses in fighting to allow critical humanitarian aid into Gaza. The US and UK oppose the long-term Israeli occupation of Gaza. But US State Secretary Antony Blinken suggests a transition period may follow the end of the war. *) Russia strikes civilian ship in Ukraine's Odessa harbour In other news, Ukrainian officials have said Russia fired a missile at a civilian ship entering a port in the Black Sea region of Odessa. One harbour worker was killed and several crew members injured. Previously, civilian ships were guaranteed safe pass