Israeli fighter jets continue to bomb Gaza, killing at least one Palestinian and wounding several more as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announces ceasefire in Gaza operation after 11 days of fighting.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Thursday announced a ceasefire to halt 11-days of fighting with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
A statement said his Security Cabinet unilaterally approved the Egyptian-mediated proposal.
The two sides were still negotiating exactly when it would take effect. Multiple reports said the truce was to go into effect at 2am on Friday (23:00 GMT on Thursday), just over three hours after the cabinet’s decision
At least 232 Palestinians, including 65 children, have been killed in 11 days of violence.
On the Israeli side, 12 people, including two children, have been killed.
United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday discussed the events in Gaza with Netanyahu earlier, telling the caretaker leader that he expected “a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire”.
But shortly after Biden’s phone call, Netanyahu said he was “determined” to continue bombarding Gaza until Israel’s “aim is met”.
Here are the latest updates:
Biden discusses Gaza bombardment with Egypt’s Sisi: White House
US President Joe Biden spoke today with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, with the two leaders discussing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
They agreed that their teams would stay in constant communication toward that end and the two leaders would stay closely in touch.
Israeli journalist fired lamenting Arabs were not killed in rocket attack
A journalist for Israeli a right-wing media outlet was fired on Wednesday for lamenting that no Arbs were killed after a rocket launched reportedly from Lebanon landed in a northern Israeli city, local Israeli media said.
“One [rocket] has fallen on a soccer field in a large Arab community. Regretfully for us, it did not result in mass deaths there,” commentator Kobi Finkler said in a live broadcast for Channel 20, his remarks receiving widespread criticism, according to Haaretz.
The station said it “decided to immediately sever its its connection with Mr. Finkler and summon those involved in the broadcast to clarify matters and draw conclusions”.
More bombardment in Gaza: reporter
Journalist Sami Abu Salem reporting from Gaza said several explosions were heard in the past hour, with reports suggesting a government compound was hit.
“Minutes ago we heard two big explosions … initial reports said two rockets hit a governmental compound,” he said.
Turkey: ‘Israel alone is responsible’ for Palestine violence
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu brushed aside the “both sides” arguments for the ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine, maintaining Tel Aviv is the sole responsible party.
Speaking during a UN General Assembly session on the situation in Israel and Palestine, Cavusoglu said blame must be assigned “where it belongs”.
“Israel alone is responsible for what is happening today in Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza,” he said.
Tunisia decries killing of children in Gaza
Tunisia, a member of the UN Security Council criticised Israel Thursday for the killing of children in its attack on the Gaza Strip.
“How many children will lose their lives?,” Tunisian Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi asked at the UN General Assembly’s emergency meeting.
“What crime could be worse than killing innocent children, including infants?”
Israeli airstrikes continue in Gaza: correspondent
Gaza journalist Sami Abu Salem reporting from Gaza City said Israeli bombardment was ongoing as night approaches in the besieged enclave.
“We are in Gaza city, next to the UN headquarters, [and we are] hearing jet fighters and drones moving,” he said.
“We’ve just heard also some bombing from the Israeli marine in the western side [of Gaza].”
Palestinians not hopeful with diplomatic, UN efforts: Correspondent
Al Jazeera correspondent Hoda Abdel-Hamid, reporting from Ramallah, said Palestinians are not very hopeful with the diplomatic efforts, and the continuing UN meetings.
“The feeling among the common Palestinians on the streets, especially the youth … [is not to] believe in anything, any more,” she said.
“They wouldn’t be listening to what’s happening now. They would listen if someone comes in with some firm, hard piece of news.”
No unified statement expected from UNGA: Correspondent
Reporting from the United Nations headquarters in New York, Al Jazeera’s Kristen Saloomey says that despite strong statements from individuals, no unified statement is expected from the General Assembly.
“We are seeing individually very strong statements, as a group, we do not expect any unified statement from the General Assembly, just like we have to see yet one from the Security Council,” Saloomey added.
“Efforts are ongoing … to come to some sort of an outcome statement, but we were told by the Palestinian ambassador and representative from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, who called this meeting, that their first priority was to shine a light on the ongoing situation and amplify calls for a ceasefire.”
Al Jazeera
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