News Wrap: Israel rejects genocide allegations at UN’s top court

Read the Full Transcript

• Amna Nawaz:

  In the day's other headlines: Israel rejected allegations that it's committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Instead, it told the world court at The Hague that its operation is a legitimate defense after Hamas attacked Israel in October.

  The Israelis responded today to the genocide claim made by South Africa, in one of the biggest cases ever brought before an international court.

• Tal Becker, Legal Adviser, Israeli Foreign Ministry:

  The attempt to weaponize the term genocide against Israel in the present context does more than tell the court a grossly distorted story, and it does more than empty the word of its unique force and special meaning. It subverts the object and purpose of the convention itself.

• Amna Nawaz:

  Meanwhile, in Southern Gaza, fiery explosions rock the city of Khan Yunis as the Israeli bombardment continued. Hamas officials said nearly 24,000 people have died, with 60,000 more injured since the war began.

  A new winter storm is sweeping across the Northern U.S. tonight, with heavy snow, high winds and brutal cold. Dangerous driving conditions across Iowa today prompted warnings to stay home. Republicans canceled a number of campaign events ahead of Monday's presidential caucuses. The storm also grounded hundreds of flights at Chicago's O'Hare and Midway Airports and 7,500 nationwide. Arctic air and bitter cold are expected to spread into the Deep South this weekend.

  Federal prosecutors in Buffalo will seek the death penalty against a gunman who killed 10 Black victims in 2022. The attack took place at a supermarket. A white supremacist, Payton Gendron, pleaded guilty to state murder charges and is serving life without parole. Today, the Justice Department announced it wants Gendron executed if he's convicted of federal hate crimes.

  The government of Ukraine got a boost from Britain today, a promise of $3.2 billion in military aid over the next fiscal year. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and signed a 10-year security deal. Zelenskyy celebrated the agreement and voiced hope about more American aid.

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President (through interpreter):

  Today is the day the history of Europe has changed. Ukraine and the United Kingdom signed a new and unprecedented security agreement. Regarding Washington's help, I'm viewing this with more positivity than in December.

• Amna Nawaz:

  A package of $60 billion in U.S. assistance is being held up in Congress. Republicans are demanding major changes in U.S. border policy before they will green-light aid for Ukraine.

  China has announced a cease-fire in Northeastern Myanmar. Beijing mediated the agreement between Myanmar's military and guerrillas that have seized towns and military posts along the country's border with China. A previous agreement failed to hold.

  The Biden administration is taking Texas to the Supreme Court in a new standoff over migrants. This week, the state fenced off a public park in Eagle Pass to stop illegal crossings, and the Texas National Guard barred the federal Border Patrol from the site. Today, the Justice Department asked the High Court to restore federal access to the park.

  And on Wall Street, stocks had a mixed finish to the week. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 118 points to close below 37593. The Nasdaq rose two points, and the S&P 500 added three. But, for the week, the Nasdaq was up 3 percent, the S&P rose nearly 2 percent, and the Dow added a fraction.