Top U.S. & World Headlines — June 20, 2024

Summary

The UN Human Rights office has accused Israel of war crimes for using heavy bombs in Gaza, causing extensive civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. The report details attacks on residential buildings, schools, and markets, with at least 218 deaths verified. UN's Navi Pillay also accuses Hamas and Islamic Jihad of committing war crimes. As tensions rise, Israel faces international scrutiny while an Israeli military spokesperson admits Hamas cannot be eradicated. The news also covers global events like Putin's visit to Vietnam, Trump's immigration comments, and extreme weather causing fatalities in Saudi Arabia, India, and the US.

Takeaways

• 🎵 The UN Human Rights office accuses Israel of systematically violating war laws in Gaza, causing significant civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction.
• 👩‍⚖️ A separate UN inquiry led by Navi Pillay finds Israel responsible for war crimes, including extermination and targeting civilians.
• 🎯 Hamas and Islamic Jihad are also accused of committing war crimes by the UN.
• 📈 The death toll in Gaza exceeds 37,400, with recent Israeli airstrikes killing multiple Palestinians at aid crossings.
• 🇺🇸 The White House cancels a meeting with Israeli officials after Netanyahu accuses the US of withholding military aid, despite recent approval of an $8 billion military package.
• ✈️ Israeli military spokesperson admits Hamas cannot be destroyed, contradicting Netanyahu's war aims.
• 🔥 Putin and Kim Jong-un sign a mutual defense pact during Putin's visit to North Korea.
• 🚷 Trump criticizes Biden's immigration policy allowing undocumented immigrants married to US citizens to apply for work permits and residency.
• 🕋 Over 900 Muslim pilgrims die in Mecca due to a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 125°F.
• 🔥 Climate activists from 'Just Stop Oil' arrested after targeting private jets and monuments in the UK, demanding the government phase out fossil fuels by 2030.

Q & A

What did the UN Human Rights Office accuse Israel of in its report?

The UN Human Rights Office accused Israel of systematically violating the laws of war by using heavy bombs to destroy civilian infrastructure in densely populated areas of Gaza.

How many people died in the six Israeli attacks examined by the UN?

The UN verified that at least 218 people died in those six attacks.

What crimes did Navi Pillay accuse Israeli authorities of committing?

Navi Pillay accused Israeli authorities of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including extermination, intentionally directing attacks against civilians, murder, using starvation as a method of war, forcible transfer, gender persecution, and sexual and gender-based violence amounting to torture.

What were Hamas and Islamic Jihad accused of by the UN?

Hamas and Islamic Jihad were accused of committing war crimes by the UN.

What was the official death toll in Gaza as mentioned in the report?

The official death toll in Gaza had topped 37,400.

Why did the White House cancel a high-level meeting with Israeli officials?

The White House canceled the meeting after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the US of withholding military aid to Israel.

What statement did a top Israeli military spokesperson make about Hamas?

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that Hamas cannot be destroyed, contradicting Netanyahu's aim of the war on Gaza.

What threat did Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah make?

Hassan Nasrallah warned that Hezbollah could strike anywhere inside Israel and also threatened to target Cyprus if it allowed Israel to use its air bases to attack Lebanon.

What mutual defense pact was signed by Russia and North Korea?

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a mutual defense pact that includes mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the parties.

What is the Biden administration's new immigration rule regarding undocumented immigrants married to US citizens?

The new rule allows undocumented immigrants married to US citizens to apply for work permits and permanent residency, giving them a pathway to citizenship.