The Latest: Israeli airstrikes hit buildings, roads in Gaza
The Associated PressMay 16, 2021 GMT
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Israeli warplanes have struck several buildings and roads in a vital part of Gaza City early Sunday.
According to photos circulated by residents and journalists. the airstrikes created a crater that blocked one of the main roads leading to Shifa, the largest hospital in the strip.
The Health Ministry said the latest airstrikes left at least two dead and 25 wounded, including children and women. It said rescuers are still digging through the rubble and had so far pulled up five wounded.
Two hours into the heavy bombardment, there has been no comment from the Israeli military.
UNITED NATIONS A U.N. spokesman says Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is âdeeply disturbedâ by the Israeli airstrike that destroyed a high-rise building in Gaza City housing offices of several international media organizations and residential apartments, and is âdismayedâ by the increasing number of civilian casualties.
âThe secretary-general reminds all sides that any indiscriminate targeting of civilian and media structures violates international law and must be avoided at all costs,â spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Saturday.
Earlier Saturday, an Israeli airstrike pulverized a high-rise building that housed The Associated Press, Al Jazeera and other media after warning that it was being targeted.
The Latest: China calls for UN council action, slams US
By The Associated Press Associated Press May 15, 2021 10:45pm Text size Copy shortlink:
BEIJING Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on the U.N. Security Council to seek an early de-escalation of violence between Israel and Gaza s Hamas rulers. He also blamed the U.S. for the council s lack of action so far. Regrettably, the council has so far failed to reach an agreement, with the United States standing on the opposite side of international justice, the state-run Xinhua News Agency quoted Wang as saying in a phone conversation Saturday with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
As stated by Spokesperson Ned Price:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister discussed the violence in Israel, West Bank, and Gaza. The Secretary reiterated his call on all parties to deescalate tensions and bring a halt to the violence, which has claimed the lives of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, including children. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of the strong strategic partnership between the United States and Egypt and the Secretary thanked Egypt for their ongoing efforts to support an end to the violence.