Palestine
Israel strikes in Gaza after arson attacks
Explosions were heard in Gaza City in the early hours of Wednesday. Several balloons were sent from Gaza into Israel earlier on Tuesday, which caused multiple fires, according to the Israeli fire service, the BBC reported. It is the first major flare-up since 11 days of fighting between the two sides ended in a ceasefire on 21 May. It followed a march by Jewish nationalists in occupied East Jerusalem on Tuesday, which had drawn threats from Hamas, the militant group that runs Gaza.
Israeli flag march in Jerusalem to renew tension: Hamas
Hamas spokesman in Gaza Abdulatif al-Qanou'a said in a statement that organising "the so-called flag march is just a detonator for the breaking out of a new battle in Palestine", reports Xinhua news agency. "The so-called flag march that is intended to be organised by the settlers on the streets of Jerusalem will lead to a new battle to defend the holy city and al-Aqsa Mosque," he said.
1st Israeli govt sans Netanyahu in 12 years begins work
The country's new prime minister Naftali Bennett and his predecessor Netanyahu met on Monday afternoon for a transition meeting, Xinhua news agency. The formal handover ceremony that accompanies a change of Prime Ministers was not held. Bennett, a nationalist and leader of the pro-settler Yamina party.
Naftali Bennett sworn in as Israel's new PM, ends Netanyahu's 12 yr rule
Naftali Bennett, leader of the right-wing Yamina (United Right) party, was sworn in as new Israeli prime minister on Sunday night, sending Benjamin Netanyahu to the opposition after a record 12-year rule. This came after the new coalition government, headed by Bennett and Yair Lapid, leader of the centrist Yesh Atid (Future) party.
Palestine condemns Israel's settlement expansion plan
"Construction of new units aims at expanding the settlements that were built on Palestinian citizens' lands in the area," the Ministry said in a statement sent to Xinhua news agency on Friday. The statement warned that the expansion of settlements in the area of Bethlehem in the West Bank "will isolate Palestinian towns and villages from each other and turn them into isolated islands in an ocean of settlements".
Antony Blinken in Israel for talks to support ceasefire
He is due to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, reports dpa news agency. Before he left for Israel, Blinken tweeted late Monday night: "Even as we were working with the parties and partners to help reach a ceasefire, we were also focused on the road ahead, including steps we could take to build a better future for Israelis and Palestinians."
Egypt brokered ceasefire between Israel-Hamas comes into effect
The ceasefire came into force at 2 a.m., reports Xinhua news agency. According to Egypt's official MENA news agency, Cairo will send two security delegations to Israel and Palestine to ensure the implementation of the truce. The heaviest fighting between Israel and the Gaza militants since 2014 has so far killed 232 Palestinians, including 65 children, and 12 Israelis.
Guterres welcomes Israel-Hamas ceasefire
"I welcome the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel, after 11 days of deadly hostilities," Guterres told reporters a few minutes before the ceasefire took effect at 2 a.m. on Friday. According to the latest media reports, a total of 232 Palestinians, including more than 60 children, and at least 12 Israelis, have been killed since violence erupted near the Gaza border on May 10.
Israel, Hamas agree to start ceasefire
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that the Israeli security cabinet approved on Thursday night the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Xinhua reported. The decision came after a 2.5-hour discussion and was "unanimously" approved by the ministers, according to the office's statement.
Israel pummels Hamas tunnel system
The Israeli Defence Forces said that its aerial assault and artillery bombardment continued overnight, hitting targets including the house of a Hamas commander in Khan Younis, an arms factory and rocket launchers. The IDF said that the tunnels were built over five years and allowed Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, to move ammunition, fighters and food within the coastal strip.
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