Our live coverage of Israel's war in Gaza has moved here.
December 18, 2023 Israel-Hamas war
By Tara Subramaniam, Christian Edwards, Aditi Sangal, Leinz Vales, Maureen Chowdhury and Elise Hammond, CNN
Updated 12:02 a.m. ET, December 19, 2023
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Nearly 300 people in UNRWA shelters have been killed and more than 1,000 injured since October 7, OCHA says
From CNN's Kareem El Damanhoury
As of Saturday, at least 297 displaced people in Gaza have been killed since the Israel-Hamas war began, according to a statement from the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The number comes from those who were sheltering in facilities run by United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA),
Another 1,032 displaced Palestinians taking refuge in those shelters were also injured, the OCHA statement read, adding that UNRWA schools in the strip were also damaged.
"Seventy of the schools damaged are UNRWA schools, with at least 56 serving as shelters for IDPs [internally displaced persons]," the statement read. "Several schools, including UNRWA schools, have been directly hit by Israeli airstrikes or tank shells."
Overall, about 1.9 million Palestinians, constituting over 85% of Gaza's population, have been displaced across the strip since October 7, according to UNRWA. A majority of them, roughly 1.4 million people, are sheltering in UNRWA facilities.
In Rafah: Gaza's southernmost area has now become the most densely populated area in the enclave, with a density of 12,000 people per square kilometer, following the arrival of tens of thousands of displaced people there in search for safety since December 3, OCHA said.
Houthi rebels attacked 2 ships in the Red Sea at the same time, US military says
From CNN's Mary Kay Mallonee
The commercial ship Swan Atlantic, which was targeted in the Red Sea on Monday, “was attacked by a one-way attack drone and an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from a Houthi-controlled area in Yemen,” according to US Central Command.
The chemical/oil tanker, a Cayman Islands-flagged ship, called for assistance after the attack and the USS Carney, the closest US warship, responded to assess damage, CENTCOM said Monday night.
A second commercial ship in the Red Sea was targeted by Houthi militants around the same time as the attack on the Swan Atlantic, CENTCOM said.
“The bulk cargo ship M/V CLARA reported an explosion in the water near their location. This attack is separate from the attack on the M/V SWAN ATLANTIC,” CENTCOM said. “There was no request for support or report of damage. There were no injuries reported during either incident.”
CNN reported earlier that the Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack on the Swan Atlantic and on a second ship. The group claimed that both were linked to Israel and that the crews refused to respond to calls from the Houthis. The Norwegian owner of Swan Atlantic denied the vessel had any connection to Israel.
The attacks follow a string of others in recent days by Houthi forces on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Houthi forces are funded and trained by Iran.
The latest attacks came as US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was in the region for meetings with senior Israeli officials in Tel Aviv amid ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Austin on Monday said he would convene a meeting with other Middle East defense ministers to discuss the attacks on ships in the Red Sea and he announced a multinational security initiative focusing on “security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.” Led by the US, the multinational initiative includes the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.
US defense secretary discusses the future of Gaza with Israeli officials. Here's the latest
From CNN staff
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with senior Israeli officials Monday and discussed pathways “toward a future for Gaza after Hamas,” the protection of civilians in Gaza and the need “to take urgent action to stabilize the West Bank.”
“Attacks by extremist settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank must stop,” Austin said at a joint news conference with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. “And those committing the violence must be held accountable.”
Austin also announced a US-led operation focusing on the “security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden” following recent attacks by Houthi forces on commercial marine traffic in the region. The multinational operation includes the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.
Catch up on the latest developments:
- Some displaced Palestinians could soon return home, Israel says: Israel will gradually transition to the next phase of the war and expects displaced Palestinians from northern Gaza to return to their homes before those from the south, Gallant said on Monday. His comments come as the United States continues to put pressure on Israel to transition to a more targeted campaign in Gaza to reduce civilian casualties.
- US says Israel may need to reevaluate rules of engagement: As the incident of Israeli forces killing three hostages is being investigated, the White House said it could necessitate adjustments to the Israeli military's rules of engagement. “The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) admitted that they made a mistake very, very soon after. They made a mistake and I have no doubt that they will do the forensics on this to learn what happened and how to avoid it happening again,” National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said, calling it a “traumatic event.”
- Gaza is now the most dangerous place in the world for journalists: Gaza has become the most dangerous place in the world for journalists and their families, according to the United Nations. Since October 7, at least 57 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). In total, at least 64 journalists have been killed since October 7, which include four Israeli and three Lebanese journalists, the organization said. Meanwhile, the UN humanitarian coordinator left the occupied Palestinian territory after Israel did not renew her visa, a UN spokesperson said. Israel did not renew her visa due to the "bias of the UN," Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen said earlier this month.
- Conflict at Lebanon-Israel border displaces civilians: Israel's government said more than 80,000 Israeli citizens living in areas near the country’s northern border with Lebanon have been displaced since October 7 amid cross-border fire exchanges with Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
- Aid continues to enter Gaza through Israeli territory: More humanitarian aid trucks were inspected and transferred to the Gaza Strip on Monday through a crossing from Israeli territory, Israel said. A total of 64 trucks were inspected and transferred to Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing, the Israeli Office for Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said on X, formerly Twitter.
US announces multinational operation in Red Sea and Gulf of Aden following Houthi attacks on shipping
From CNN's Michael Callahan and Haley Britzky
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Monday announced a new US-led operation focusing on the “security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden” following recent attacks by Houthi forces on commercial marine traffic in the region.
“I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of its Task Force 153, which focuses on security in the Red Sea,” Austin said in a statement.
Austin, who was in the region for meetings with senior Israeli officials to discuss the Israel-Hamas war, said countries “must come together to tackle the challenge posed by this non-state actor launching ballistic missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) at merchant vessels from many nations lawfully transiting international waters.” The multinational operation includes the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.
“The recent escalation in reckless Houthi attacks originating from Yemen threatens the free flow of commerce, endangers innocent mariners, and violates international law,” Austin said. “The Red Sea is a critical waterway that has been essential to freedom of navigation and a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade.”
The announcement came after the USS Carney responded Monday to a distress call from a commercial vessel after it was attacked by “multiple projectiles” in the southern Red Sea, a US military official said.
The Houthis later claimed responsibility for the attack on the vessel. The group claimed it attacked another ship as well and that both ships were linked to Israel. The Houthis also said that “no harm will be dealt” to ships heading to ports around the world, “except for Israeli ports.”
Houthi forces in Yemen have been targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea, claiming the attacks as revenge against Israel. Oil giant BP announced Monday that it would pause all shipments through the Red Sea due to the “deteriorating security situation,” marking the latest shipping firm to pause routes through the channel.
Family members react to seeing hostages in Hamas video, Israeli media outlets report
From Tamar Michaelis
Family members of two of the hostages who appeared in a video released by Hamas on Monday have been giving their reactions to Israeli media.
Rani Metzger, Yoram Metzger’s son, told Channel 11: “It’s hard to see him now, it’s about time to bring them back home.”
Rani Metzger said his father looked very old and unkempt and that he and the other kibbutz members who appeared in the video, Chaim Peri and Amiram Cooper, “do not look in good shape.”
“I think it should be understood that we don’t have a lot of time left. Everything should be done in order to return them,” Metzger said.
Mai Albini, Peri’s grandson, told N12 that he had not watched the video but was aware that his grandfather was “in a very bad shape and seems to be withering in captivity.”
UN humanitarian coordinator leaves Palestinian territory after Israel did not renew her visa
From CNN’s Caitlin Hu
The United Nations humanitarian coordinator has left the occupied Palestinian territory after Israel did not renew her visa, a UN spokesperson said Monday.
Lynn Hastings worked as the deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process and the UN resident coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory. Stéphane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said in a press briefing on Monday that she left on Saturday.
Israel did not renew her visa due to the "bias of the UN," Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen said earlier this month.
Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, will act as the interim resident and humanitarian coordinator for the UN, Dujarric said.
Dujarric said the UN will provide updates on the appointment and deployment of a permanent replacement for Hastings.
“The secretary-general thanks Ms. Hastings for her dedication and professionalism and the independence and impartiality she consistently demonstrated in her role,” Dujarric said.
UN says Gaza has become most dangerous place in the world for journalists and their families
From CNN staff
Gaza has become the most dangerous place in the world for journalists and their families, according to the United Nations.
Since the October 7 attacks, at least 57 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). In total, at least 64 journalists have been killed since October 7, which include four Israeli and three Lebanese journalists, the organization said.
Journalists “have kept the world informed in real-time of the horrors that civilians in Gaza are enduring. Their dedication deserves tribute. But one by one, these eyes on the ground are going dark,” the UN said in a statement from the UN Human Rights Office in Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The UN organization said it is also concerned about widely reported claims that journalists and media workers received threatening and intimidating phone calls from Israeli security personnel, according to the statement.
The killing and forced displacement of journalists have hindered their ability to report on the ground in Gaza, it said.
More than 80,000 Israeli civilians near Lebanese border have been displaced since October 7, Israel says
From CNN's Sugam Pokharel in London and Tamar Michaelis in Tel Aviv
Israel's government said more than 80,000 Israeli citizens living in areas near the country’s northern border with Lebanon have been displaced since October 7 amid cross-border fire exchanges with Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
"Over 80,000 citizens have been displaced, living as refugees in their own country … We will bring back the residents of the north to their homes in the border after full security will be restored," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said at a news briefing on Monday.
Israel and Hezbollah — an Iran-backed armed group that dominates southern Lebanon — have been engaged in daily cross-border exchanges of fire along the Lebanon-Israel border after Hamas' on October 7 attack — raising fears that the fighting could escalate into a regional war.
Since October 7, Hezbollah has carried out “hundreds” of attacks on Israel, including rocket, anti-tank missile and drone attacks on communities and military positions in northern Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement Monday.
Five Israeli civilians have so far been killed in such attacks, according to the IDF.
The US has been working with Lebanon to try to quell the violence between Israel and Hezbollah and quiet the northern border.
Israel wants Hezbollah to retreat north of the Litani River, which is about 18 miles away from the border, Gallant has previously said.
Israeli leaders have given a stark warning to Hezbollah in recent days.
"If Hezbollah decides to open an all-out war, then with its own hands it will turn Beirut and southern Lebanon, which are not far from here, into Gaza and Khan Younis,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told soldiers earlier this month during a trip to a base near the border.
Hezbollah's leadership has expressed support for Palestinians and condemned Israel's offensive in Gaza but has yet to directly intervene on Hamas' behalf.