The Middle East crisis

The Gaza war
US vetoes immediate ceasefire in Gaza

The United States vetoes a UN Security Council resolution on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, AP reports.

The country opposes the proposal because it does not include the release of hostages held by the terrorist group Hamas.

- We were clear during the negotiations that we would not stand behind an unconditional ceasefire that does not mean that the hostages are released, says the country's deputy UN ambassador Robert Wood.

The United States was the only one of the council's 15 countries to vote against the resolution.

 

Israel-Syria
Syria: At least 36 killed in Israeli airstrike

At least 36 people have been killed and at least 50 wounded in an Israeli airstrike against Palmyra in central Syria, the Syrian Ministry of Defense said, according to AFP.

"The Israeli enemy launched an air strike from the area around al-Tanf, targeting several buildings," a statement said.

The attack is also said to have caused "significant" material damage. Israel's military has not commented.