Mediators eye new plan to resolve dispute over Philadelphi, Netzarim corridors: Report
Mediators in Gaza ceasefire negotiations are expected to put forward a new plan in the coming days to address disputes over the future security control of Gaza’s Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors, reports Israel’s Haaretz newspaper.
However, a foreign diplomat quoted by the paper stated that it was unclear whether this would mean “significant progress” towards a ceasefire deal, as major gaps remain between Israel and Hamas.
As we reported, Israel sent officials from the military, Mossad intelligence agency and Shin Bet security service to Qatar yesterday for more ceasefire negotiations.
Negotiations have recently been held up by the status of Gaza’s Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors, with Israel’s government pushing for continued security control and Hamas insisting on Israel’s full withdrawal.
Defence minister calls for end to attacks in northern Israel to be part of war goals
Yoav Gallant said that the goals of the war on Gaza should be expanded to include a return for Israeli civilians to their homes in northern Israel, which have been evacuated because of the continuing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“Our mission on the northern front is clear – to ensure the safe return of northern communities to their homes. In order to achieve this goal, we must expand the goals of the war, and include the safe return of Israel’s northern residents to their homes,” said Gallant.
“This will not diminish our absolute commitment to dismantling Hamas and returning the hostages,” Gallant added, according to a statement from his office.
Israeli officials are increasingly calling for an all-out war against Hezbollah, which has fired rockets and drones at northern Israel since October 8 in solidarity with Gaza, as Israel attacks areas across Lebanon. Both sides have so far avoided escalating to a full conflict, despite appearing to come close on several occasions, notably on Sunday when the Lebanese group fired a large barrage of projectiles at Israel in response to the assassination of a senior Hezbollah commander, and Israel launched attacks in southern Lebanon.
Israel says shooting at World Food Programme vehicle ‘error’
That’s the Israeli defence, according to the deputy US envoy to the UN.
Robert Wood told a UN Security Council meeting that an initial review had found the shots were fired at a WFP vehicle after a “communication error”. The vehicle was clearly marked as belonging to the UN, and the shots were fired at the windows, directly at what would have been the people inside the car.
“We have urged them to immediately rectify the issues within their system,” Wood said. “Israel must not only take ownership for its mistakes, but also take concrete actions to ensure the [Israeli military] does not fire on UN personnel again.”
But it’s not the first time Israel has fired upon humanitarian workers. In early April, seven aid workers from the US-based group World Central Kitchen were killed after the vehicles they were travelling in were targeted by an Israeli air raid.
