Mediators urge both sides to accept Gaza truce plan
Published: 05:06 PM,Jun 02,2024 | EDITED : 09:06 PM,Jun 02,2024
TOPSHOT - Palestinians transport some salvaged belongings as they leave the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip after they returned briefly to check on their homes on May 31, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
RAFAH: Israel battled and bombarded Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Sunday as mediators called on both sides to agree to a truce and captives release deal outlined by US President Joe Biden.
Since Biden spoke at the White House on Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted Israel will pursue the war raging since October 7 until it has destroyed the Palestinian groups and freed the captives. Netanyahu is under intense domestic pressure from two sides.
Protesters supporting the captives, who rallied again in their tens of thousands in Tel Aviv on Saturday, are urging him to strike a truce deal — but right-wing extremist allies are threatening to bring down the government if he does.
For now, fighting again rocked Gaza overnight and on Sunday, with the military reporting more air strikes and ground combat, and Palestinian officials reporting yet more deaths.
Mediators the United States, Qatar and Egypt on Saturday said they 'call on both Hamas and Israel to finalise the agreement embodying the principles outlined by President Joe Biden'.
Biden said that Israel's three-stage offer would begin with a six-week initial phase that would see Israeli forces withdraw from all populated areas of the Gaza Strip.
It would see the 'release of a number of captives' in exchange for 'hundreds of Palestinian prisoners' held in Israeli jails.
Israel and the Palestinians would then negotiate for a lasting ceasefire, with the truce to continue so long as talks are ongoing, Biden said. 'It's time for this war to end, for the day after to begin,' he said.
Israel's retaliatory bombardments and ground offensive have killed at least 36,379 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the territory's health ministry.
Heavy fighting has flared in far-southern Rafah, where Israel sent tanks and troops in early May, ignoring concerns for displaced civilians sheltering in the city.
Israeli Apache attack helicopters on Sunday opened fire on targets in central Rafah, a jet fired a missile at a house in the western Tel al-Sultan district and artillery shelling targeted the southern Brazil neighbourhood.
Elsewhere in Gaza, Israeli helicopters fired at targets in Gaza City's Zeitun and Sabra areas, and an air strike hit a house in the city's east, reporters said.
Three people were killed including a woman and a child, when an air strike hit a family apartment in Gaza City's Daraj neighbourhood, a hospital medic said.
Artillery shelling also targeted areas of Deir al-Balah and the Bureij and Nuseirat camps. — AFP
Since Biden spoke at the White House on Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted Israel will pursue the war raging since October 7 until it has destroyed the Palestinian groups and freed the captives. Netanyahu is under intense domestic pressure from two sides.
Protesters supporting the captives, who rallied again in their tens of thousands in Tel Aviv on Saturday, are urging him to strike a truce deal — but right-wing extremist allies are threatening to bring down the government if he does.
For now, fighting again rocked Gaza overnight and on Sunday, with the military reporting more air strikes and ground combat, and Palestinian officials reporting yet more deaths.
Mediators the United States, Qatar and Egypt on Saturday said they 'call on both Hamas and Israel to finalise the agreement embodying the principles outlined by President Joe Biden'.
Biden said that Israel's three-stage offer would begin with a six-week initial phase that would see Israeli forces withdraw from all populated areas of the Gaza Strip.
It would see the 'release of a number of captives' in exchange for 'hundreds of Palestinian prisoners' held in Israeli jails.
Israel and the Palestinians would then negotiate for a lasting ceasefire, with the truce to continue so long as talks are ongoing, Biden said. 'It's time for this war to end, for the day after to begin,' he said.
Israel's retaliatory bombardments and ground offensive have killed at least 36,379 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the territory's health ministry.
Heavy fighting has flared in far-southern Rafah, where Israel sent tanks and troops in early May, ignoring concerns for displaced civilians sheltering in the city.
Israeli Apache attack helicopters on Sunday opened fire on targets in central Rafah, a jet fired a missile at a house in the western Tel al-Sultan district and artillery shelling targeted the southern Brazil neighbourhood.
Elsewhere in Gaza, Israeli helicopters fired at targets in Gaza City's Zeitun and Sabra areas, and an air strike hit a house in the city's east, reporters said.
Three people were killed including a woman and a child, when an air strike hit a family apartment in Gaza City's Daraj neighbourhood, a hospital medic said.
Artillery shelling also targeted areas of Deir al-Balah and the Bureij and Nuseirat camps. — AFP