2024-03-16 13:05:00
It’s morning in the Middle East. This is what you need to know
A ship belonging to the aid group Open Arms approaches the coast of Gaza towing a barge with 200 tons of humanitarian aid this Friday, March 15. (Credit: Mohammed Hajjar/AP)
Israel will review Hamas’ latest response in talks for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said on Friday, and a delegation is likely to travel to Qatar early next week to hold further talks. conversations.
A diplomat familiar with the discussions told CNN that “it will not be easy to convince the Israelis” to accept Hamas’ terms in the latest proposal, while another diplomatic source said mediation efforts are moving in a positive direction “but “They haven’t gotten to that point yet.” “
Relatives of the hostages gathered in protest outside the Israeli military headquarters on Friday and called on the government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “make a decision that will save our loved ones.”
Here’s what you need to know:
Israel approves Rafah plan: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “approved the action plans in Rafah,” his office said in a statement Friday, adding that the Israel Defense Forces are preparing for the same. This comes after Israel said it intends to move displaced Palestinians from Rafah to “humanitarian enclaves” in Gaza ahead of any Israeli military strike, IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters on Wednesday. . The White House says it has not seen any plans from Israel related to Rafah.
Aid ship arrives in Gaza: A Spanish aid ship arrived on the central coast of Gaza and the first pallet of aid was successfully unloaded this Friday, according to the non-governmental organization World Central Kitchen, which helped organize the mission that left Cyprus on Tuesday. The 200 tons of food aid on board are being moved to smaller ships off the coast of the Sheikh Ajleen neighborhood in Gaza City, the nonprofit organization said.
Acute malnutrition doubles in a month in northern Gaza: The United Nations children’s agency reported this Friday an increase in rates of acute malnutrition among children in northern Gaza, with figures doubling in just one month. According to UNICEF, at least 23 children have died from malnutrition and dehydration in northern Gaza in recent weeks.
Israel denies responsibility for Kuwait Square violence: The Israel Defense Forces said a preliminary review found that Israeli forces “did not open fire on the aid convoy in Kuwait Square” in northern Gaza on Thursday, when more than 20 people waiting for food aid were reported dead. On Friday, the IDF released a video that it claimed showed Palestinian gunmen “opening fire amid Gaza civilians.” CNN cannot independently verify the video content, location or time.
Biden praises Schumer’s comments: US President Joe Biden described Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s speech criticizing Netanyahu as “good,” and said the New York Democrat “expressed serious concern” that many share. Americans. Biden said Schumer had contacted senior staff before him to inform the White House that he would deliver the speech. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Schumer’s speech was a direct contradiction to American policy and called on the White House not to go down that path.
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