Netanyahu: 12 Hamas battalion commanders in Gaza have been neutralized as war rages on

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that 12 leaders of the estimated 24 battalions fighting in Gaza have already been neutralized. "We are settling accounts with all those who kidnapped, participated, murdered, slaughtered, raped and burned the daughters of our people. We will not forget, and we will not forgive," Netanyahu said. (Related: At least 1000 killed, 1,590 injured so far in Hamas terror attacks on Israel.)

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency also disclosed that at least five Hamas leaders, including Ahmed Jandor, the commander of Hamas' northern brigade, and his deputy, Wael Rajab, were killed in a recent airstrike in northern Gaza. Documents and photographs seized from Hamas showed that a tunnel destroyed in the missile strike housed five top officials, who were allegedly responsible for directing and managing the activities in the northern Gaza Strip. Additionally, in a video released by the IDF, Rajab was seen walking through one of Hamas' underground corridors in the tunnel network shortly before his death. Aside from the northern leaders, the airstrike claimed the lives of the leader of the aid battalion, the head of the military formation and the officer responsible for observations in the north. The IDF revealed that similar operations were conducted to kill six other top officials across Gaza, targeting the commanders of battalions in Beit Lahia, Jabaliya, Sabra, Shati, Darj Tapah and Shejaiya.

UN secretary-general warns Security Council of global threat on security and stability

On December 6, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres formally warned the Security Council of a global threat stemming from the ongoing Gaza war as Arab states, led by the United Arab Emirates, seek to leverage this alert to call for an immediate ceasefire. "On top of the agenda is that this war has to stop. A ceasefire has to take place and it has to take place immediately," Guterres said. He even invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter, which hadn't been used for decades, to bring attention to the matter. Guterres expressed concern that the war "may aggravate existing threats to international peace and security" and reiterated his call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. In support of the letter of Guterres, the U.A.E. presented a brief draft resolution to the council, demanding an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The U.A.E. draft resolution enjoys support from the Arab and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) groups.

For the resolution to be adopted, it requires at least nine votes in favor, with no vetoes from the five permanent members – the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain. However, Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood announced that the United States does not support any further action by the Security Council at this time. "However, we remain focused on the difficult and sensitive diplomacy geared toward getting more hostages released, more aid flowing into Gaza, and better protection of civilians," Wood stated. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller highlighted the threats of the war to regional and global security, emphasizing efforts to prevent its further escalation. The situation remains fluid as the international community grapples with finding a diplomatic resolution to the escalating crisis.

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UN secretary-general warns Security Council of global threat on security and stability

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