Live blog: Hamas announces capture of Israeli soldiers in Gaza

Saturday, May 25, 2024

2154 GMT — Spokesman for Hamas' armed wing Abu Obeida has said that its forces had captured Israeli soldiers during fighting in Gaza's Jabalia.

The Israeli military however has denied a claim by Hamas.

"The IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) clarifies that there is no incident in which a soldier was abducted," the military said in a statement.

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1914 GMT — Israeli jets kill six in Nuseirat refugee camp sheltering Palestinians

At least six Palestinians were killed and 20 others were injured on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a unit housing displaced people in the Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, medical sources said.

The Al-Awda Hospital said it received dead and injured after the Israeli attack.

Witnesses told Anadolu that an Israeli warplane targeted a non-governmental women's activity centre in the camp, resulting in casualties that also included children.

Medical teams and civil defence crews were working to search for victims from under the rubble, they said.

1833 GMT — Israel continues to bomb Gaza as truce talks could resume

Prospects for a resumption of mediated Gaza ceasefire talks grew although Israel carried out new attacks in which Palestinian medics said more than 40 people were killed.

An official with knowledge of the matter said a decision had been taken to resume the talks next week after the chief of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency met the head of the CIA and the prime minister of Qatar.

The source, who declined to be identified by name or nationality, said it had been decided that "in the coming weeks negotiations will open based on new proposals led by the mediators, Egypt and Qatar and with active US involvement".

A Hamas official later denied Israeli media reports that the talks would resume in Cairo on Tuesday, telling Reuters: "There is no date".

1725 GMT — Denmark tells Israel to end operations inside Rafah after ICJ ruling

In light of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) verdict, Denmark called for the end of all Israeli military offensive in the city of Rafah, southern Gaza, state media outlet DR said.

"I look at the ruling that has been made with extreme seriousness, and I hope that it is also a seriousness that descends in Israel,” Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said.

"There is now the international community's legal assessment of this situation, and it matches the political assessment that the Danish government has also had for a long time — namely that we must have a ceasefire, not a land offensive," he added.

1636 GMT — Israel claims World Court's order on Rafah does not rule out 'entire offensive'

Israel considers that an order by the World Court to halt its military offensive on Rafah in southern Gaza allows room for "some military action" there, Israeli officials have said.

In an emergency ruling in South Africa's case accusing Israel of genocide, judges at the International Court of Justice ordered Israel on Friday to immediately halt its assault on Gaza's Rafah.

"What they are asking us, is not to commit genocide in Rafah. We did not commit genocide and we will not commit genocide," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, told Israel's N12 TV on Saturday.

1613 GMT — Biden highlights US commitment to Israel in West Point speech

US President Joe Biden has emphasised the critical role of American support to allies around the world including Israel, in a speech at the commencement for the US Military Academy at West Point, New York.

"Thanks to the U.S. Armed Forces, we're doing what only America can do as the indispensable nation, the world's only superpower," Biden said.

The speech before 1,036 graduating US Army cadets is part of a push by Biden to highlight the administration's efforts to support active and retired military personnel.

1537 GMT — Heavy seas batter US Gaza maritime aid mission: CENTCOM

Heavy seas have battered the US maritime humanitarian mission to Gaza, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said, with four vessels serving a floating aid delivery pier breaking free from their moorings.

No injuries were reported and the aid pier remains fully functional, CENTCOM said in a statement, adding that no US personnel would enter Gaza.

Two of the affected vessels were now anchored on the beach near the pier and the other two were beached on the coast of Israel near Ashkelon, CENTCOM said, adding that efforts to recover the vessels were under way with assistance from the Israeli Navy.

1400 GMT — Israel refuses to reopen Rafah, 20,000 patients await treatment

Over 20,000 patients are waiting for the opening of the Rafah crossing to leave Gaza for treatment, the Health Ministry in besieged Palestinian enclave said.

In a statement, ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qudra said “since Israel reoccupied the Rafah crossing, no patients have been able to leave the Gaza Strip,” noting that “even those who are abroad cannot return to their homeland".

“More than 20,000 patients suffering of cancer, heart and blood diseases are waiting for the opening of the crossing in inhumane conditions due to the occupation, siege and war of extermination imposed on civilians in Gaza.”

The official termed it "a war crime and a blatant violation of the health rights of patients stipulated in international humanitarian law".

1331 GMT — Former premier says Israel can neither achieve victory in Gaza, nor destroy Hamas

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has called for an end to the "stalling war" in Gaza, stressing that there is no chance "to achieve complete victory or the complete destruction of Hamas".

In an interview with Israeli public broadcaster KAN, Olmert said that “the military operation in Rafah must be stopped".

He stressed that the "stalling" war in Gaza should be stopped in to make way for the return of hostages.

1311 GMT — Israel detains 15 more Palestinians in occupied West Bank

The Israeli army has detained at least 15 Palestinians from areas across the occupied West Bank.

According to a joint statement by the Commission of Detainees’ Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoner Society, the new arrests brought the total number of Palestinians detained by the Israeli forces since October 7, 2023 to 8,855.

The arrests mainly took place in the cities of Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilya, and Hebron.

During the Israeli arrest campaigns, the Israeli forces beat and abused Palestinians and damaged their homes and properties, the statement added.

1259 GMT — Ankara to keep up pressure on Israel via trade, diplomacy until Gaza massacre ends: Erdogan

Ankara will continue to put pressure on Israel through trade and diplomacy until Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration ceases the massacre in Gaza, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said.

Speaking at a meeting of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) in Istanbul, Erdogan was unequivocal about what has been happening in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

“We are keeping our channels of communication open in our business community in the process of implementing our decision to suspend commercial transactions to force Israel, which has martyred 36,000 innocent people in Gaza, to ceasefire,” he said.

“Ankara will continue to put pressure on Israel through trade, (and) diplomacy until Netanyahu administration ends its massacres in Gaza,” he emphasised.

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1241 GMT — Palestinian death toll surpasses 35,900

A ministry statement added that 80,420 other people have also been injured in the onslaught.

“Israeli attacks killed 46 people and injured 130 others in the last 24 hours,” the statement said.

1221 GMT — Israel-Hamas talks on hostage deal expected to restart next week

Mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire deal to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian captives in Israel are due to restart next week, an official with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The decision to restart the talks, said the source, who declined to be identified by name or nationality given the sensitivity of the issue, came after the head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency met with the head of the CIA and the prime minister of Qatar, which has been a mediator.

"At the end of the meeting, it was decided that in the coming week negotiations will open based on new proposals led by the mediators, Egypt and Qatar and with active US involvement," the source said.

1119 GMT — Spain demands Israel comply with ICJ and halt attacks on Rafah

The Spanish government has demanded that Israel comply with an order by the top UN court to immediately stop its bombardment and ground assault on city of Rafah.

It stressed that the ruling on Friday by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was legally binding.

"The precautionary measures set out by the ICJ, including that Israel should cease its military offensive in Rafah, are compulsory. Israel must comply with them," Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares wrote on X.

"The same goes for a ceasefire, the release of the hostages and access for humanitarian aid (to Gaza)," he said. "The suffering of the people of Gaza and the violence must end."

1111 GMT — UK says World Court order to Israel over Rafah will strengthen Hamas

The British government has criticised the International Court of Justice for ordering Israel to immediately halt its assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, saying the ruling would strengthen Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

The ICJ, which is the highest UN body for hearing disputes between states, made the emergency ruling on Friday in South Africa's case accusing Israel of genocide.

"The reason there isn’t a pause in the fighting is because Hamas turned down a very generous hostage deal from Israel. The intervention of these courts — including the ICJ today — will strengthen the view of Hamas that they can hold on to hostages and stay in Gaza," a UK foreign ministry spokesperson said late on Friday.

"And if that happens there won’t be either peace, or a two-state solution."

1102 GMT — US-built floating pier in Gaza collapsed

Waves swept away a section of the American floating pier installed to carry aid to Gaza, Israeli media reported.

“Part of the American pier was washed ashore in Ashdod (a city in Israel),” said Channel 12.

"The Israeli Navy is currently helping to connect the separated part,” it added.

There were no injuries reported.

The US army in mid-May announced it finished constructing a temporary floating pier off the coast of Gaza meant to provide much needed aid to the blockaded enclave.

0915 GMT — Palestinians factions demand action on UN rulings against Israel

Palestinian factions have urged the prompt and genuine implementation of the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) decisions, stressing the need to avoid delays or obstructions that could absolve Israel of its responsibilities.

The National and Islamic Forces Committee, which represents the majority of Palestinian groups, issued a statement in support of the top UN court decision.

"The fascist aggression against the city of Rafah and all parts of Gaza and the Palestinian Territory must be stopped, and the Nazi occupation army must withdraw completely,” the committee said.

It urged all parties to "seriously and genuinely work to implement the decisions of the International Court of Justice, without procrastination or delays that could absolve the occupation of its responsibilities under various pretexts."

It asked all parties to ensure “the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Rafah crossing” and to reopen it as a “solely Palestinian-Egyptian crossing in accordance with the agreed-upon mechanisms.”

The committee cautioned "against any attempts to circumvent the decision of the International Court of Justice or legitimise the siege and occupation."

0830 GMT — Italy to resume funding UN agency aiding Palestinians

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that Rome would resume funding for the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), at a meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa.

"Italy has decided to resume financing specific projects intended for assistance to Palestinian refugees but only after rigorous controls that guarantee that not even a penny risks ending up supporting terrorism," he said.

Mustafa was also scheduled to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on what was his first trip to Europe since being appointed by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in March.

Tajani, whose country holds the G7 presidency this year, offered his government's "full support" to the Palestinian Authority.

"We are also committed as a G7 presidency to working towards a period of peace. We strongly ask for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza," he said.

0900 GMT — Australia urges Israel to 'abide by' ICJ's ruling on Gaza

A senior Australian minister has urged Israel to "abide by" the International Court of Justice (ICJ) order to halt its military assault on southern Gaza.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australia’s position on Rafah is “crystal clear,” describing the situation as a “humanitarian disaster,” with the potential to worsen, local broadcaster SBS News reported.

“We have been very consistent that Rafah should not be attacked,” Brown said in Sydney.

“We are very consistent that the binding rulings to the ICJ should be abided by all parties, including Israel. Either you comply with international law or you don’t.

“Australia believes international law should be complied with, Australia believes the binding rulings should be complied with and we believe Rafah should not be invaded by Israel.”

0755 GMT — G7 finance leaders to call on Israel to maintain Palestinian bank links

G7 finance leaders will call on Israel to maintain correspondent banking links between Israeli and Palestinian banks to allow vital transactions, trade and services to continue, according to a draft joint statement seen by Reuters.

The statement, to be released at the end of a Group of Seven finance ministers and central bank governors' meeting in northern Italy, also calls for Israel "to release withheld clearance revenues to the Palestinian Authority, in view of its urgent fiscal needs".

The statement echoes a warning from US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who said the failure to renew a soon-to-expire banking waiver would cut off a critical lifeline for the Palestinian territories amid a devastating war in Gaza.

"We call on Israel to take the necessary measures to ensure that correspondent banking services between Israeli and Palestinian banks remain in place, so that vital financial transactions and critical trade and services continue," the draft statement said.

0400 GMT — Israel bombs Rafah after top UN court orders it to halt assault

Israel has bombed Gaza, including Rafah, a day after the top UN court ordered it to halt military operations in the southern city as efforts get underway in Paris to seek a ceasefire.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) also demanded the immediate release of all hostages still held in Gaza, hours after the Israeli military announced troops had recovered the bodies of three more of the captives from northern Gaza.

The Hague-based court, whose orders are legally binding but lack direct enforcement mechanisms, also ordered Israel to keep open the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, which it closed earlier this month at the start of its assault on the city.

Israel gave no indication it was preparing to change course in Rafah, insisting that the court had got it wrong.

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas welcomed the ICJ ruling on Rafah but criticised its decision to exclude the rest of war-torn Gaza from the order.

2341 GMT — Pakistan, Maldives, Malaysia welcome new ICJ ruling against Israel

Pakistan, Maldives and Malaysia welcomed a new ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel regarding Gaza.

“UN Security Council and the international community should make efforts to implement the ICJ order to stop Israeli operations in Gaza,” Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a statement.

Implementing the order to stop the Israeli military operations “will pave the way for peace in the world,” he said.

The ICJ amended an earlier order and demanded Israel immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where Tel Aviv sent forces May 6.

2251 GMT — Blinken reiterated US position on Rafah in call with Israel's Gantz, State Dept says

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated President Joe Biden position on "a major Rafah operation" when he spoke with Israeli Minister Benny Gantz, the US State Department said.

Blinken also discussed importance of Israel and Egypt concluding talks to reopen Rafah the crossing as soon as possible, the department said in a statement.

2223 GMT — NYC college suspends officer who told pro-Palestine protester 'I support killing all you guys'

A campus safety officer at a public college in New York City has been suspended after footage circulated online showing him cursing at pro-Palestinian protesters during a graduation ceremony and saying he supported killing them all, the school confirmed.

An unidentified protester filmed the officer at Thursday's graduation for the College of Staten Island, part of the public City University of New York system that was rocked by a recent police crackdown on campus protests.

In a highly edited video shared by Instagram accounts affiliated with student protest organizers, a demonstrator can be heard yelling at the officer, "You support genocide!"

"Yes I do, I support genocide," says the officer. "I support killing all you guys, how about that?" In another clip posted in the video, the officer can be heard hurling an expletive at another protester, followed by "your mother."

2200 GMT — Arab diplomats, Macron discuss ways to stop Israel's war on Gaza

France's president, Qatar's prime minister and the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan have held talks on Israel's Gaza war and ways to set up a Palestinian state alongside Israel, the French presidency said.

French President Emmanuel Macron organised the meeting amid growing international concerns over Israel's genocidal war. It came a few hours after the UN's top court ordered Israel to halt its invasion in the Gaza city of Rafah.

Efforts to revive a "two-state" solution to the wider Middle East conflict and humanitarian efforts for Gaza dominated the talks.

The officials discussed "all the levers that could be activated in order to obtain the reopening of all crossing points" into Gaza, said an Elysee palace statement.

2048 GMT — UCLA police make first arrest in mob attack on pro-Palestine encampment

Three weeks after a mob attacked pro-Palestine activists encamped at the University of California, Los Angeles, police have made their first arrest in the violence, a man they say was seen in video footage beating victims with a wooden pole.

The suspect, identified as Edan On, 18, was taken into custody on Thursday in the city of Beverly Hills and booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, the UCLA Police Department said in a statement.

The man, who police said had no affiliation with UCLA, was reported by local media to be a Beverly Hills High School student.

His arrest was the first by police in their investigation of the violence that flared on campus between pro-Palestine activists occupying a tent camp to protest Israel's war in Gaza, and a group who attacked them late on the night of April 30.

The masked assailants, described by university officials and police as "instigators," stormed the protest site with clubs and poles, sparking a pitched skirmish in which both sides traded blows and doused each other with pepper spray.

2106 GMT — White House, on ICJ ruling, says it has been 'clear and consistent' on Rafah

The White House has said it has been "clear and consistent" on its position on Rafah after the United Nation's top court ordered Israel to halt its invasion in the area.

The US says a full invasion in Rafah would be a humanitarian disaster, but it has continued to supply Tel Aviv with lethal weapons that Israel uses on the besieged Palestinians.

Legal experts say Israel must fully comply with ICJ's Rafah order, and its allies such as US and UK must suspend all arms sales to Tel Aviv as ignoring world court's ruling risks "genocide" complicity.

For our live updates from Friday, May 24, 2024, click here