Cease-fire needed in order to deliver aid to northern Gaza, where children are dying of malnutrition
Talks for a cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza are ongoing in Qatar, with negotiators pushing for a deal by the beginning of Ramadan in the next two weeks.
NBC News correspondent Raf Sanchez noted that the U.N. is warning that it cannot make food deliveries, partially because of Israeli restrictions but also in part due to the “collapse of law and order” in the area.
“We are hearing from one of the functioning hospitals in northern Gaza. They say at least four children have died from combinations of dehydration, malnourishment in the last couple of days,” he said.
Palestinian minister: No ‘miracles’ expected at talks on unified government
GENEVA — Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said today he did not expect “miracles” at talks in Moscow to discuss the formation of a unified Palestinian government and the rebuilding of Gaza.
The talks between representatives of Hamas and the Fatah political faction, scheduled to take place in the Russian capital tomorrow, come days after Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh resigned.
The shake-up, Maliki said, was designed to build support for an expanded role for the Palestinian Authority following Israel’s war against the Islamist group Hamas in Gaza.
“We hope that there we might be good results in terms of mutual understanding between all factions about the need to support such a technocratic government that will emerge,” Maliki said of the talks.
“Of course, we don’t expect miracles to happen in just a simple meeting in Moscow, but I believe that the meeting in Moscow should be followed by other meetings in the region soon.”
The Palestinian Authority, created about 30 years ago as part of the interim Oslo peace accords, has been undermined by accusations of ineffectiveness and the prime minister holding little effective power.
Shtayyeh’s resignation marks a symbolic shift that underlines President Mahmoud Abbas’ desire to ensure the Authority maintains its claim to leadership as international pressure grows for a revival of efforts to create a Palestinian state.
Hamas and Israel still find ‘significant obstacles’ to cease-fire despite Biden’s hope for a deal
TEL AVIV — An Israeli official said that talks for a cease-fire and the potential release of hostages have essentially stalled despite comments from U.S. officials that a deal was within sight.
President Joe Biden told a reporter earlier this week that he hoped to see a cease-fire reached by Monday, but that appears unlikely as Hamas said there were “significant obstacles” to an agreement.
Syrian military says it struck down Israeli missiles directed toward Damascus; IDF declines comment
Syria’s Ministry of Defense said it struck down missiles directed toward Damascus from the direction of the Golan Heights.
The military blamed Israel for the strikes and said there were “material” losses but did not report deaths or injuries. Israel Defense Forces declined to comment to NBC News on the matter.
Al-Mayadeen, a Lebanon-based news channel, reported there were explosions heard in the area of the Sayyidah Zaynab mosque. The mosque is a shrine to the Prophet Muhammad’s granddaughter and is considered a pilgrimage site for many Shite Muslims.
Dr. Ragaa Ukasha set up his practice in a tiny tent in the sprawling Al-Mawasi camp in Rafah, where tens of thousands of displaced Gazans are struggling to survive amid famine and disease. He works for free but has barely any medicines or equipment. “I swear, the situation is disastrous,” he said.
‘Euphoria’ star Hunter Schafer arrested in NYC at a protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza
“Euphoria” star Hunter Schafer was arrested Monday at a protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza in New York City.
The 25-year-old actor and model was among a group of demonstrators taken into police custody after protesting in the lobby of NBCUniversal headquarters, where President Joe Biden was filming his “Late Night With Seth Meyers” appearance, according to photos and videos on social media.
Schafer, who plays Jules in the HBO hit show, can be seen wearing a black T-shirt that reads “CEASE-FIRE NOW” as she’s being escorted out of the building by police officers.
A spokesperson for the New York City Police Department confirmed that a group of 30 protesters were arrested and issued summons for trespassing and disorderly conduct at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan on Monday, but would not confirm Schafer’s arrest.
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