Authorities urge UN to intervene ‘to protect unarmed civilian populations’ after attack on bus that killed 11
Authorities urge UN to intervene ‘to protect unarmed civilian populations’ after attack on bus that killed 11
Gaza’s media office has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire with Hamas 47 times since the truce came into effect in early October, killing 38 Palestinians and wounding another 143.
“These violations have included crimes of direct gunfire against civilians, deliberate shelling and targeting, and the arrest of a number of civilians, reflecting the occupation’s continued policy of aggression despite the declared end of the war,” reads the statement.
Authorities in Gaza called on “the United Nations and the guarantor parties of the agreement to intervene urgently to compel the occupation to end its ongoing aggression and to protect unarmed civilian populations”.
Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile said that the Rafah crossing – a crucial entry point of aid – would only reopen after Hamas hands over the bodies of all deceased hostages still held in Gaza.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu has directed that the Rafah crossing remain closed until further notice,” a statement from his office on Saturday read. “Its reopening will be considered based on how Hamas fulfils its obligations to return the hostages and the bodies of the deceased, and to implement the agreed-upon terms.”
Eleven members of a Palestinian family were killed by Israeli forces on Friday, described as the deadliest single violation of the fragile ceasefire since it took effect eight days ago. Gaza’s civil defence agency said the family were trying to reach their home in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City when the bus they were in was attacked for allegedly crossing the “yellow line” that demarcates areas of Israeli army control.
