Gaza live: Israeli attack hits Unrwa centre
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Israel's foreign ministry said it has summoned the Armenian ambassador to Israel for a "stern reprimand" over his country's recognition of the State of Palestine.
Armenia announced its recognition of the State of Palestine, the Armenian foreign ministry said on Friday.
The ministry cites the "catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza" and the "establishment of lasting reconciliation between the Jewish and Palestinian peoples" as a reason behind its decision.
The statement adds that reaching a two-state solution is "the only way to ensure that Palestinians and Israelis can realise their legitimate aspirations".
The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell spoke to Jordan's Foreign Minster Ayman Safadi of the "ongoing catastrophe" in the Gaza Strip as well as the deteriorating situation for Palestinians in the West Bank.
"We share grave concern that full humanitarian access is still denied, hostages still not freed, fighting still ongoing, despite binding ICJ orders, and Biden plan still not implemented," Borrell said on X.
On his side, Safadi said that "a radical, racist Israeli government shouldn’t be given impunity. It must face sanctions & be held accountable".
Spoke to @AymanHsafadi on ongoing catastrophe in Gaza & deterioration in the West Bank.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) June 21, 2024
We share grave concern that full humanitarian access is still denied, hostages still not freed, fighting still ongoing, despite binding ICJ orders, & Biden plan still not implemented.
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Spoke to EU’s @JosepBorrellF on urgency of the EU acting to defend its laws, values & interests & take real action to stop Israel’s war crime against the Palestinian people. A radical, racist Israel Govt shouldn’t be given impunity. It must face sanctions & be held accountable https://t.co/jwDOArm0hr
— Ayman Safadi (@AymanHsafadi) June 20, 2024
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israel's Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi on Thursday.
Blinken reportedly emphasised the importance of avoiding a wider escalation in Lebanon, reiterating his country's support for a diplomatic solution that allows displaced Lebanese and Israelis to return to their homes.
Good morning Middle East Eye readers,
Here are the latest updates:
- At least 14 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on northern and central Gaza, eight on them in a bombing on a home in Gaza City, the Wafa news agency reports
- The Israeli army announces the killing of two soldiers following a Hamas mortar attack in central Gaza. Three others were seriously wounded
- The US military said that over 656 metric tons of aid were delivered through the US-built pier in Gaza on Thursday, hours after it resumed operations
- A group of UN experts has warned weapons manufacturers and investment companies of the legal risks posed by supplying Israel with weaponry, as the country faces accusations of war crimes in Gaza
Our live coverage from Gaza will shortly be closing until tomorrow morning.
Here are some of the day's key developments:
- The White House has expressed its deep disappointment over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's public criticism of the Biden administration.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is willing to suffer “personal attacks” on condition that his country gets the support it needs from the US.
- The Pentagon said the temporary US pier that was set up off the coast of the Gaza Strip, aimed at boosting deliveries into the enclave, has resumed working.
- The Palestine Red Crescent Society says it has transferred humanitarian aid from the occupied West Bank to the Gaza Strip, and will be distributed to “displaced and affected families in central and southern Gaza”.
- Israeli news outlet Haaretz is reporting that hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets to demonstrate against the government led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu close to his private residence in Jerusalem.
- The European Union spokesman, Peter Stano, says that any threat to Cyprus is considered a warning to the entire bloc.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to double down on his broadside against US President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday, saying he was willing to incur "personal attacks" in order to defend Israel's existance.
Netanyahu was referring to a video he released this week in English accusing the Biden administration of "withholding weapons and ammunitions to Israel".
"Those comments were deeply disappointing and certainly vexing to us, given the amount of support that we have and will continue to provide," US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists earlier on Thursday.
Read more: Netanyahu doubles down against US as White House expresses 'disappointment'
Al-Jazeera news has reported that Israeli strikes have targeted al-Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood in Gaza City.
No numbers of casualties have been reported so far.
In southern Gaza, Israeli bombings have resumed in the neighbourhoods of Tal as-Sultan and Saudi, located western Rafah, according to al-Jazeera.
A Palestinian journalist, Salim al-Sharafa, was killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza.
Palestinian broadcaster Al-Aqsa, where Sharfa worked, announced his death on Telegram.
His death brings the death toll of media professionals killed in the strip since 7 October to 152, according to the Gaza-based government media office.
The temporary US pier that was set up off the coast of the Gaza Strip, aimed at boosting deliveries into the enclave, has resumed working, the Pentagon said on Thursday.
“I can confirm that US Central Command personnel reanchored and reestablished the temporary pier to the Gaza beach yesterday,” with Israeli forces assisting so there were no American troops on the ground, Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder told journalists.
Yesterday, US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Robert Wood said the American pier built off the coast of Gaza was never meant to be the “ultimate saviour”.
Reports have been circulating about US plans to potentially dismantle the pier, which was launched in mid-May, after bad weather and infrastructural issues hindered its operations.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society says it has transferred humanitarian aid from the occupied West Bank to the Gaza Strip, and will be distributed to “displaced and affected families in central and southern Gaza”.
“PRCS volunteers will distribute the meat over three consecutive days to thousands of families, in coordination with local community bodies and committees, to alleviate the suffering of the citizens in Gaza,” the PRCS said on X.
We earlier reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with top Netanyahu advisers to discuss the situation in Gaza and a deal to release the hostages.
It has now been reported that Blinken will also discuss the rising tensions between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is willing to suffer “personal attacks” on condition that his country gets the support it needs from the US.
“I am ready to suffer personal attacks provided that Israel receives from the US the ammunition it needs in the war for its existence,” he posted on X.
His comments come two days after he publicly criticised US President Joe Biden's administration in a video.
Earlier, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the US had expressed its dissatisfaction to Israel in response to Netanyahu’s comments.
Israeli minister Benny Gantz said he discussed the situation in Gaza and the tensions in the Lebanese-Israeli border in a phone call with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
“I emphasised to him [Steinmeier] that the reality where Hezbollah and the Iranian axis of terror continue to threaten the citizens of northern Israel and the entire region’s stability is simply irreconcilable,” Gantz wrote on X.
“I will support any responsible and effective military or political decision to remove the threat from outside the government,” he said.
Israeli news outlet Haaretz is reporting that hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets to demonstrate against the government led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu close to his private residence in Jerusalem.
On Wednesday, large crowds of anti-Netanyahu protesters asked for the government to be dismantled and called for a deal to release those held captive in Gaza.
