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Israel continues Gaza assault following new ceasefire proposal
Israel continues Gaza assault following new ceasefire proposal
Israeli shelling has been reported in Gaza City in the north, as well as Rafah in the south, where Israeli forces are engaged in battles with Hamas.
7 min read
Israel has continued shelling areas around the Gaza Strip, with strikes being reported in Gaza City's Zeitoun and Remal neighbourhood resulting in the deaths of three Palestinians.
Israeli forces continue to conduct attacks in Gaza's southern city of Rafah, with Israeli tanks moving deeper into the district. On Thursday Israeli forces took control over the Philadelphi Corridor.
The fighting comes as US President Joe Biden outlined a new six-week ceasefire proposal which would see the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from population centres and negotiations for an end to the war.
Hamas has said it "considers positively" the ceasefire proposal by Biden, one of a number of proposals that have been put forward since the start of the year to end the war.
Israel's war on Gaza has killed 36,379 Palestinians and wounded a further 82,407.
5:51 PM
Al-Quds brigades claim attack on Israeli army in Rafah
5:40 PM
The armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the al-Quds brigades, announced it had bombed Israeli forces in the area of Tal Zorob west of Rafah.
The attack comes amid fighting around the city.
Norwegian PM expresses support for ceasefire
4:38 PM
The Prime Minister of Norway posted on X saying that he supported the proposed ceasefire that would see Israeli hostages released and an increase in aid into the Gaza Strip.
"I urge all parties to engage and support," he added.
I support the proposal for a lasting ceasefire, presented by @POTUS, the release of hostages and more humanitarian aid to #Gaza. I urge all parties to engage and support.
— Jonas Gahr Støre (@jonasgahrstore) June 1, 2024
Hostage families launch 'operation' to get MKs to back deal
4:10 PM
Hostage families have announced the start of an "emergency operation" to convince members of Israel's Knesset to back a ceasefire and hostage deal.
A statement from the families read: "The forum demands the return of all the hostages, whether for rehabilitation or burial, and not to miss the opportunity that has arisen to bring them home."
Belgium condemns attempted UNRWA terrorist classification
3:23 PM
Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib has condemned attempts by Israel's parliament to classify UNRWA as a terrorist organisation.
"Belgium condemns the Israeli parliament's attempts to classify UNWRA as a terrorist organisation and to remove the immunity of its staff," she said in a post on X.
She added, "UNWRA's activities are essential for the Palestinians in the face of the dramatic humanitarian situation in Gaza."
Belgium condemns the Israeli parliament's attempts to classify UNWRA as a terrorist organisation and to remove the immunity of its staff.
— Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) June 1, 2024
UNWRA's activities are essential for the Palestinians in the face of the dramatic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
OCHA: not enough aid getting into Gaza to prevent famine
2:44 PM
Spokesperson for the UN's humanitarian office (OCHA) Jens Laerke said in a press conference that "the aid that is getting in [to Gaza] is not getting to the people."
He further said that the aid going into Gaza is not enough to prevent a famine, and that the only way to get aid in at scale is through land crossings.
#Gaza: Children are starving amid persistent aid access obstacles, @UNOCHA has warned, in a renewed appeal to Israel to respect international obligations regarding the safe passage of lifesaving relief.
— United Nations Geneva (@UNGeneva) June 1, 2024
"The aid that is getting in, is not getting to the people." - @JensLaerke pic.twitter.com/zqF8TItxYq
Macron: 'The war in Gaza must end'
2:13 PM
French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X that "The war in Gaza must end".
"We support the US proposal for a durable peace. Just as we are working with our partners in the region on peace and security for all," he said in the post.
"The release of the hostages, a permanent ceasefire to work towards peace and progress on the two-state solution," he added.
The war in Gaza must end.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 1, 2024
We support the US proposal for a durable peace. Just as we are working with our partners in the region on peace and security for all.
The release of the hostages, a permanent ceasefire to work towards peace and progress on the two-state solution.
Hezbollah claims shooting down Israeli drone
1:43 PM
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the shooting down of an Israeli drone in Lebanon.
In a statement, Hezbollah said it downed a Hermes 900 drone in solidarity with Gaza.
Video circulated online appeared to show a plane of a size corresponding to that of a Hermes, aflame and gyring earthward.
(Reuters)
Egyptian, US and Israeli officials to discuss Rafah crossing
1:28 PM
A meeting between US, Egyptian and Israeli officials is scheduled to take place on Sunday in Cairo to discuss the reopening of the Gaza's Rafah crossing, a high-level source told Egypt's state-linked Al Qahera TV.
Egypt is insisting that Israel withdraw its forces from the crossing, Al Qahera reported. Israel seized the crossing on the Gaza side in May during its offensive in the city of Rafah along the enclave's southern edge.
(Reuters)
Israel's Lapid urges PM to heed Biden on Gaza deal
12:15 PM
Israel's opposition leader on Saturday urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to heed US President Joe Biden's call for a Gaza truce under which Hamas would free hostages, and offered to support the government should far-right coalition partners bolt.
"The government of Israel cannot ignore President Biden's consequential speech. There is a deal on the table and it should made," Yair Lapid said in an X post.
"I remind Netanyahu that he has a safety net from us for a hostage-release deal if (Itamar) Ben-Gvir and (Bezalel) Smotrich leave the government."
(Reuters)
Israeli drone shot down over Lebanon with missile
12:00 PM
An Israeli pilotless plane was shot down over Lebanese territory by a surface-to-air missile on Saturday, Israel's military said.
(Reuters)
PIJ says looks with 'suspicion' over US ceasefire proposal
11:20 AM
Palestinian Islamic Jihad has said it looks with "suspicion" at the US ceasefire proposal presented by US President Joe Biden due to the administrations support for Israel, although it added the group was studying the proposal.
Gaza health ministry: 95 killed, 350 injured in 24 hours
11:05 AM
The health ministry in Gaza said Saturday that at least 36,379 people have been killed in Israel's war on Gaza, with a further 82,407 people being wounded.
The toll includes at least 95 deaths and 350 injuries over the past 24 hours, a ministry statement said.
Rockets hit northern Israel settlement of Kiryat Shmona
10:50 AM
Hezbollah rockets fired from southern Lebanon hit sites around the Israeli settlement of Kiryat Shmona, with the group saying the barrage was in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes last night.
According to Haaretz an Israeli army base was struck in the barrage, although it added that there were no casualties as a result of the strike.
Israeli PM's office: 'conditions for ending war not changed'
10:20 AM
The Office for the Prime Minister of Israel said in a post on X that "Israel's conditions for ending the war have not changed" following US President Joe Biden's announced ceasefire proposal yesterday.
"The destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel," the office said.
Under the proposal, Israel will continue to insist these conditions are met before a permanent ceasefire is put in place. The notion that Israel will agree to a permanent ceasefire before these conditions are fulfilled is a non-starter.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 1, 2024
Saudi FM receives call from Blinken over Gaza ceasefire
9:52 AM
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud received a call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday during which they discussed the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal, the Saudi state news agency said.
(Reuters)
13-year-old child dies of malnutrition in Gaza: report
9:19 AM
A 13-year-old boy has died from malnutrition in Al-Aqsa Martyr's Hospital in central Gaza's Deir al-Balah, according to Palestinian news agency WAFA.
The report added that the number of people who have died from malnutrition in Gaza has risen to 37, with medical sources noting that the toll is only reflective of reported deaths in hospitals.
Israel says conducted overnight strikes against Hezbollah
9:15 AM
The Israeli military has announced it conducted overnight airstrikes against Hezbollah positions in south Lebanon following rocket fire into northern Israeli on Friday.
The targets included a rocket launch site as well as observation post and military buildings.
Additionally, the military announced two rockets fired from southern Lebanon fell into open areas.
Indonesia willing to send peacekeeping troops to Gaza
8:54 AM
Indonesia's president-elect, Prabowo Subianto, said on Saturday that his country was willing to send peacekeeping troops to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza if required.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security conference, Prabowo said US President Joe Biden's proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza was a step in the right direction.
(Reuters)
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