Netanyahu to discuss ceasefire deal with top officials on Thursday
Israeli media is reporting that Netanyahu is expected to meet his top security officials on Thursday to discuss the latest developments in a possible Gaza ceasefire deal.
According to the Israeli news outlet Channel 12, Netanyahu will hold his high-level meeting with Defence Minister Israel Katz and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.
At the same time, Channel 12 quoted senior Israeli officials as saying it was possible to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza within days and implement it within a few weeks.
Ceasefire in Gaza ‘long overdue’, UN official says
UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East Khaled Khiari says a ceasefire in Gaza is “long overdue”.
“The continued collective punishment of the Palestinian people is [unjust],” Khiari said in a briefing to the UN Security Council in its monthly Israel-Palestine meeting, adding that civilian casualties by Israeli forces are “horrific”.
“The widespread devastation and deprivation resulting from Israel’s military operations in North Gaza, especially around Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoon, are making the conditions of life untenable for the Palestinian population there.
“I condemn Israel’s use of explosive weapons.”
Are making the conditions of life untenable? It seems we're already far past that point in Northern Gaza.
UN says Israel rejected request for aid delivery to north Gaza
Israel has once again blocked the UN from reaching northern Gaza, spokesperson for the UN chief said.
“Yet again, the Israeli authorities denied a request from the United Nations to reach the besieged parts of the north today, [including] Beit Hanoon, Beit Lahiya and east of Jabalia,” said Stephane Dujarric.
“Yesterday, we underscored how the vast majority of our efforts to reach north Gaza governate since the Israeli siege began 10 weeks ago have been blocked. Most requests are denied outright.”
The humanitarian situation in Gaza’s north continues to be catastrophic, with the Israeli military blocking most aid, and where there has been a heavy siege and blockade for more than 70 days.
Palestinian UN envoy calls on Security Council to ‘lead by example’
Palestinian Envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour urged members of the Security Council to end Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
“Over a year ago, and from this same chamber, we called for a ceasefire that would allow Palestinian and Israeli families to be reunited in life, not death,” Mansour said, adding that since the chamber disagreed on a ceasefire, the General Assembly should take control under the “Uniting for Peace” framework.
During his address, Mansour commented on Amnesty International’s findings of genocide in Gaza and denounced Israel’s attacks on Ireland.
“Israel continues genocide, starves and forcibly displaces people, colonises and annexes land. But it is Ireland which has crossed every red line for denouncing these crimes, for insisting on respect for international law and for human rights. You must be kidding,” he said.
“This is a time to show resolve, to be guided by moral clarity and to lead by example.”
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