Israel's ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, spoke at the UN Security Council's discussion on the situation of the Gaza hostages on Friday.Erdan, in his address to the Security Council, said "Until today, you have done nothing for the release of the hostages! How can you call for a ceasefire before doing everything possible to bring the hostages home?""If the council really wants the war to end, it should put the issue of freeing the hostages at the top of the agenda," Erdan stated.

Israel's foreign ministry said South Africa was 'presenting biased and false claims' that 'rely on unreliable Hamas sources' in response to a case brought to the UN's top court accusing Israel of genocide on Thursday."Israel acts in accordance with international law and its humanitarian obligations," a statement from the Israeli foreign ministry said. "While implementing measures to minimize harm to civilians and civilian facilities."The ministry called on the International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, "to reject South Africa's appeal and to bring the abuse of the Court to an end."This is a developing story.

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of support for US Army supplied systems to Ukraine for an estimated $100 million, the Pentagon said on Thursday.The State Department has also approved the potential sale to NATO of Alliance Ground Surveillance Program Equipment and Support and related equipment for an estimated $250.2 million, the Pentagon said. The principal contractor will be Northrop Grumman, it said.This is a developing story.

At least five Russian drones struck the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv late on Thursday and the city remained at risk, regional governor Oleh Synehubov said on Telegram.Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the city's Osnovyanskyi district had been hit, triggering a fire. There was no immediate word on casualties.Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, has been a frequent target of Russian attacks in recent weeks. Russian troops launched an incursion into the northern parts of Kharkiv region last week.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a phone call with Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, reinforced the "unquestionable necessity" of protecting civilians and ensuring the uninterrupted flow humanitarian aid before any potential military operation in Rafah, the Pentagon said on Thursday. This is a developing story.