No deal reached but between Israel and Hamas, White House says
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Israel and Hamas haven’t reached a deal but on a short lived ceasefire, a White House spokesperson mentioned.
“No deal yet but we continue to work hard to get a deal,” the White House’s National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson mentioned in an announcement.
The spokesperson added that the US continued to work to get a deal between the 2 sides, in line with Reuters.
On Saturday, the Washington Post reported {that a} deal brokered by Qatar between Israel and Hamas had been reached for a five-day ceasefire in change for 50 or extra hostages.
But a second US official additionally mentioned no deal had been reached, Reuters reported.
Israeli protection forces (IDF) are at the moment finishing up floor operations in Gaza to destroy Hamas after the militant group’s rampage into Israel on 7 October during which its fighters killed 1,200 folks and took 240 hostages.
Israel additionally mentioned it’s getting ready to develop its offensive within the strip.
A senior aide to Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Palestinian civilians to relocate away from southern Khan Younis, indicating {that a} floor offensive into the south is imminent.
IDF mentioned it was preventing militants within the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City and on the outskirts of Jabaliya, the refugee camp which is residence to one in all two colleges that have been allegedly hit by airstrikes on Saturday.
The Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry says the loss of life toll within the Gaza Strip has already elevated to 12,300, together with 5,000 youngsters.
Meanwhile, the households of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas and 1000’s of supporters arrived after a five-day march in Jerusalem on Saturday.
The marchers sought to stress Israel’s authorities to do all the things they might to convey hostages again.
So far of the 240 hostages kidnapped from Israel into Gaza, solely 5 have been launched – 4 by way of worldwide diplomacy involving Qatar and one rescued by Israeli troops.
Some of the marchers have expressed concern that the Israel army offensive endangers their family members however authorities leaders argue that solely army stress on Hamas can result in some hostage releases.
A humanitarian evaluation crew that visited Al Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza reported seeing indicators of shelling and gunfire in what was described as a “death zone” in a “desperate” state of affairs, in line with the World Health Organization (WHO).
People search buildings destroyed throughout airstrikes on November 18, 2023 in Khan Yunis, Gaza. Heavy preventing rages within the northern Gaza Strip as Israel encircles the realm, regardless of more and more urgent requires a ceasefire.
“Signs of shelling and gunfire were evident. The team saw a mass grave at the entrance of the hospital and were told more than 80 people were buried there,” the WHO mentioned in an announcement.
The crew which included public well being consultants, logistics officers, and safety employees from numerous UN departments might reportedly spend solely an hour contained in the hospital as a result of safety issues.
Their go to, whereas coordinated with the Israeli army, nonetheless occurred with heavy preventing close to the hospital.
“WHO and partners are urgently developing plans for the immediate evacuation of the remaining patients, staff and their families,” the UN organisation mentioned.
The hospital was not functioning as a medical facility, in line with the crew, as a result of a shortage of fresh water, gas, medication, and different necessities.
Palestinians search the rubble of a constructing for survivors follwoing Israeli bombardment in Khan Yunis within the southern Gaza Strip on 18 November 2023 amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The WHO reiterated its name for a right away ceasefire and sustained humanitarian help.
However, US president Joe Biden mentioned that “a ceasefire is not peace”.
“As long as Hamas clings to its ideology of destruction, a ceasefire is not peace,” the president wrote in an op-ed for the Washington Post on Saturday.
“An outcome that leaves Hamas in control of Gaza would once more perpetuate its hate and deny Palestinian civilians the chance to build something better for themselves,” Mr Biden wrote.
Protesters march by town through the nationwide protest to demand a ceasefire within the Israel-Hamas warfare on 18 November 2023 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. Voices internationally calling for a ceasefire in Gaza proceed to develop because the IDF pushes deeper into Gaza warning folks to maneuver south and evacuation orders are issued for the al Shifa hospital.
A ceasefire he mentioned would give Hamas the chance “to rebuild their stockpile of rockets, reposition fighters and restart the killing by attacking innocents again.”
“If Hamas cared at all for Palestinian lives, it would release all the hostages, give up arms, and surrender the leaders and those responsible” for the 7 October assaults, the US president mentioned.
“My administration has called for respecting international humanitarian law, minimizing the loss of innocent lives and prioritizing the protection of civilians,” Mr Biden mentioned, including that the purpose shouldn’t be “simply to stop the war for today” however to “end the war forever.”
“There must be no forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, no reoccupation, no siege or blockade, and no reduction in territory,” the US president mentioned.
Source: independent.co.uk
