Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on during a briefing to ambassadors to Israel at a military base in Tel Aviv on May 19. Reuters
GAZA CITY: While US President Joe Biden told Israel that he expects a “significant” reduction in the military confrontation with Palestinians, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday he was determined to continue this operation until its aim is met.
“The president conveyed to the prime minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire,” according to a statement released after what the White House said was the two leaders’ fourth call since the crisis began.
By The Associated Press
UNITED NATIONS â The United States opposes a draft U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire in the conflict between Israel and Gazaâs Hamas rulers. The U.S. says it could interfere with the Biden administrationâs efforts to end the hostilities.
France drafted the resolution after the U.S. earlier blocked at least four attempts to have the council issue a press statement calling for an end to hostilities.
A press statement requires agreement by all 15 council members. A resolution only requires at least nine âyesâ votes and no veto by the United States or any of the four other permanent members.
UN chief reviews Gaza ceasefire efforts
with Palestinian president in phone call May 20, 2021
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are seen in this file picture. Courtesy photo
RAMALLAH Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reviewed international efforts toward securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in a phone call on Wednesday.
During the call, Abbas stressed the need for an immediate end to deadly Israeli attacks on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, calling to hold the Israeli occupation accountable for committing war crimes.
He further stressed the need to put a stop to the Israeli extremist settler attacks, which are backed by the Israeli forces, against Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem and attempts to forcibly expel Palestinians from their homes in Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, as well as a
2021-05-20 07:05:48 GMT2021-05-20 15:05:48(Beijing Time) Xinhua English
NEW YORK, May 20 (Xinhua) The United States blocked Sunday a joint statement calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, leaving three United Nations Security Council emergency meetings over the past few days with no concrete results in de-escalating the violence, according to media reports.
The move came after the United States last week twice blocked United Nations (UN) resolutions that would urge de-escalation amid the rising Israeli-Palestinian tensions, which have caused hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries.
The UN s casualty count from hostilities in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel on Wednesday showed that 219 Palestinians, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza. In the West Bank, 25 Palestinian deaths were tallied, including four children. Israeli sources reported 12 people killed, including two children and a soldier. Thousands of people were injured, mainly in the
Israel accused of committing war crimes in Gaza
Tension between Israel and militant groups in Gaza has been going on for 11 days since May 10
Thursday May 20, 2021 10:25 AM, IANS
Ramallah: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has accused Israel of committing war crimes in the besieged Gaza Strip and vowed to prosecute Israel at the International Criminal Court.
Tension between Israel and militant groups in Gaza has been going on for 11 days since May 10, leaving over 255 Palestinians dead and hundreds injured, as well as huge destruction of buildings and infrastructure, reports Xinhua news agency.
Abbas made the accusation at an emergency meeting on Wednesday of the Arab Parliament of the Arab League, which was held to discuss the ongoing tension in Gaza.