200 tons of food are expected to reach Gaza
As mediators in the Gaza war continue to push for a ceasefire just before the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, preparations are underway for aid deliveries by sea to the bombarded Gaza Strip. A ship from Spanish aid organization Open Arms will initially transport around 200 tonnes of food, such as rice and flour, from Cyprus at the start of a maritime corridor announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. arriving in the coming days. , reports the British broadcaster BBC. It was initially unclear where exactly it would land and how the aid would then reach the people.
Biden: Don’t allow another 30,000 deaths in Gaza
US President Joe Biden is now again calling for a ceasefire. “I want to see a ceasefire, starting with a major prisoner exchange. For a period of six weeks,” Biden told American broadcaster MSNBC on Saturday evening (local time).
Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Israel continues preparations for a ground offensive in Rafah in southern Gaza to destroy the remaining Hamas battalions and free suspected hostages there. In the city bordering Egypt, 1.5 million desperate Palestinians are currently seeking shelter in a confined space from the fighting in other parts of the closed-off coastal area.
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It should not happen that another 30,000 Palestinians die as a result of the action against Hamas, Biden warned in the interview when asked whether a ground offensive in Rafah was a red line for him. More than 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza so far, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority. Tens of thousands of people at pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Paris and London on Saturday called for an immediate ceasefire, according to media reports.
Israeli Secret Service: Hamas wants to set fire to region during Ramadan
However, according to Israel’s foreign intelligence service Mossad, Hamas is currently not interested in a ceasefire. Instead, the Islamist organization aims to “set the (Middle East) region on fire during Ramadan,” Mossad chief David Barnea said in a statement published by the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday evening. At the same time, Israel remains in contact with and cooperates with the mediators US, Qatar and Egypt, it said.
“We have not declared that negotiations have been stopped,” Husam Badran, a member of the Islamic organization’s political bureau, told the American newspaper “Wall Street Journal” on Saturday. According to the newspaper, the talks will continue in Cairo on Sunday. Arab negotiators planned to push for an initially shorter ceasefire of two days at the start of Ramadan. The month of fasting, a particularly holy time for Muslims, is expected to begin on Sunday evening.
The US is preparing to build a temporary port facility off the coast of Gaza
Meanwhile, the US military has begun transporting equipment to the region for the construction of a temporary shipping dock off the coast of Gaza. The responsible regional command Centcom announced this on Saturday evening (local time) on the X platform, formerly Twitter. On Thursday, the US announced its plan with international partners to bring food, water and medicine to the war zone. It will take approximately 60 days for the pier to become operational. The Israeli military agreed to coordinate construction with U.S. forces. Humanitarian aid could then reach Gaza by sea after appropriate inspection by Israel, military spokesman Daniel Hagari said on Saturday evening.
Independently of the preparation of the temporary port facility, the international community is working to establish a maritime corridor from Cyprus. “We are now close to opening the corridor – hopefully this Saturday, this Sunday,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during a meeting with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulidis on Friday. Germany participates in the maritime corridor.
Biden criticizes Netanyahu
US President Biden described the situation of the people in Gaza on Saturday as “desperate”. He emphasized that Israel’s defense is “still crucial.” He will never leave Israel’s side. At the same time, the US president has clearly criticized the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “He’s hurting Israel more than he’s helping Israel,” Biden said. “I think this is a big mistake.”
Netanyahu has the right to defend Israel and continue to fight Hamas. “But he must, he must, he must pay more attention to the innocent lives that will be lost as a result of the measures taken,” the US president added. Recently, senior representatives of his government had become increasingly strict in their tone toward Israel.
Thousands demonstrate against Netanyahu in Israel
Netanyahu is also under pressure at home. Thousands of people demonstrated in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities on Saturday evening for the release of Hamas hostages and against Netanyahu’s government. Near the Defense Ministry headquarters, police stopped protesters from blocking a highway in the city, Israeli media reported. Authorities arrested 16 people. In Caesarea, a large crowd gathered in front of Netanyahu’s private villa. One of the speakers, a former general, said, referring to the head of government: “Your policy is aimed at one thing: staying in power at all costs, and the war perfectly serves your purposes.”
Hamas stands by its demands
Israel and Hamas have been negotiating a temporary ceasefire in indirect talks for several weeks. Hamas Politburo member Badran told the Wall Street Journal they were ready for further talks. At the same time, however, he reaffirmed Hamas’ conditions. This includes a permanent ceasefire, sufficient aid supplies across all border crossings, a plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip and a complete withdrawal of the Israeli army.
The mediators’ proposal has so far only called for a six-week ceasefire and an initial phase of hostage-for-Palestinian prisoner exchanges. During this ceasefire, a permanent ceasefire and the conditions for the release of all remaining hostages will be negotiated. Israel has so far shown no willingness to abandon this roadmap.
The Gaza war was sparked by the worst massacre in Israel’s history, with terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping 250 in Israel on October 7. (con/sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
