GAZA: Israel intensified its bombardment of Rafah in Gaza’s south and over a dozen members of one family were killed in an air strike, residents said, as the ruined Palestinian enclave’s health ministry announced 29,313 deaths in the war so far.
In Jerusalem, Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz cited “promising early signs of progress” on a new deal to release hostages held by Hamas fighters in Gaza amid talks conducted by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to secure a pause in the war.
The Israeli army (IDF) said it had stepped up operations in Khan Younis, a city just north of Rafah. It made no mention of attacks on Rafah itself in its daily summary of events in Gaza and did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
About 1.5 million people are estimated to be crammed into Rafah, on the southernmost fringe of the enclave close to the border with Egypt, most of them having fled their homes further north to escape Israel’s military onslaught.
The flow of aid entering Gaza from Egypt has almost dried up in the past two weeks, and a collapse in security has made it increasingly difficult to distribute the food that does get through, according to UN data and officials.
Israel has said it is preparing for a ground assault on Rafah, despite mounting international opposition, including from staunch ally the United States, over fears for civilian lives.
Rafah residents reached by text message reported several Israeli air strikes and large explosions in the city, as well as naval boats opening fire on beachfront areas.
29,410 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza since Oct 7: health ministry
A total of 29,410 Palestinians have been killed and 69,465 injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza since October 7, the Gaza health ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
Norway FM calls for Gaza ceasefire, two-state solution at Rio’s G20 meeting
Speaking to the media at Rio’s G20 meeting, Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the application of a two-state solution in Palestine.
“We need to apply international law and international humanitarian law equally. If we see it violated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, we have to stand up and act. And if we see the international humanitarian law violated in Gaza, we also have to speak up and stand up for these principles. And if we don’t, we will contribute to the perception that there are double standards. I’m not saying that there are double standards, but there’s a real perception, and I understand why.”
“And then I also spoke about the work that Norway is doing together with a number of countries, including a group of Arab foreign ministers, on how we can develop a comprehensive peace plan for Palestine. That means, of course, a ceasefire. It means end the hostilities. Secondly, it means a radical ramp up of humanitarian aid immediately.”
Turkey calls for Gaza ceasefire, two-state solution at G20 meeting
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called on the international community to take a more active role towards an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and a two-state solution to the conflict during talks at the G20 meeting in Brazil, a Turkish diplomatic source said.
Turkey, which has harshly criticised Israel for its attacks on Gaza and backed measures to have it tried for genocide at the World Court, has repeatedly called for a ceasefire.
Unlike its Western allies and some Gulf nations, NATO member Turkey does not view Hamas, the Palestinian fighter group which runs Gaza and on October 7 carried out an attack inside Israel that prompted the Israeli campaign, as a terrorist organisation.
Fidan told a G20 foreign ministers meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday that the “savagery” in Gaza must be stopped, and discussed steps to achieve an urgent ceasefire and get more aid into the enclave during talks with counterparts from the United States, Germany, and Egypt, the source said.
“Steps that can be taken to achieve a full ceasefire as soon as possible were discussed,” during talks between Fidan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the source said, adding Fidan also discussed “concrete steps” to stop the fighting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
“The fact that a decision on a ceasefire did not come out of the UN Security Council once again, has shown that reform is a must,” Fidan told a session at the G20 meeting, according to one of his aides, referring to a third US veto on a ceasefire call at the 15-member body.
Ankara says the UN Security Council must be reformed to be more inclusive and representative of the world.
“The stance shown by Brazilian President Lula (Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva) is admirable,” the aide cited Fidan as saying, in reference to comments by Lula in which he likened the war in Gaza to the Nazi genocide during World War Two and which caused a diplomatic spat.
