Friday, July 19, 2024
1602 GMT — The Palestinian presidency has welcomed an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that said Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967 is unlawful.
In a statement, the presidency described the decision as "a triumph for justice," and "reaffirmation of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, their land and their statehood."
The statement noted that the ICJ's ruling is a response to the Israeli parliament's resolution on Thursday that rejected the establishment of a Palestinian state.
It urged the international community "to compel Israel, the occupying power, to fully and immediately end its occupation (...) without conditions or exceptions."
1626 GMT — Gaza ceasefire close to the goal line, Blinken says
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said a long-sought ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was within sight, saying negotiators were "driving toward the goal line."
Blinken told the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado that Hamas and Israel had agreed to the ceasefire framework outlined by US President Joe Biden in May after a lot of pushing and diplomacy, but said that some issues needed to be resolved.
1609 GMT — EU, Palestinian Authority agree on emergency financial support
The EU and Palestinian Authority have agreed on emergency financial support to address Palestinians' most urgent financial needs amid the ongoing devastating Israeli war on Gaza.
“The European Commission and the Palestinian Authority have signed a Letter of Intent which sets out a strategy for addressing the critical budgetary and fiscal situation of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian economy, whose structural vulnerabilities have been exacerbated by the consequences of the war in Gaza and much-needed pending developments and reforms,” the commission said in a statement.
As the first step, short-term emergency financial support, worth $435 million, will be given to the Palestinian Authority to address its most urgent financial needs and support its substantial and credible reform agenda.
1555 GMT — Rights group highlights violence by Israeli forces, illegal settlers in occupied West Bank
A major rights group has highlighted the escalating violence by Israeli forces and illegal settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
In a statement, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) revealed that 228 Palestinians, including 51 children, were killed in attacks by Israeli forces or illegal settlers and over 1,000 were displaced during the first half of 2024.
Commenting on the findings, Ana Povrzenic, NRC’s country director in Palestine, said: “The data indicates that Israeli forces are deploying unwarranted use of lethal force against Palestinian civilians.”
1526 GMT — Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu criticises ICJ decision
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the occupation of Palestinian territories, describing it as “absurd.”
“The Jewish people are not occupiers in their own land, including in our eternal capital Jerusalem nor in Judea and Samaria (West Bank), our historical homeland,” Netanyahu said on X.
“No absurd opinion in The Hague can deny this historical truth or the legal right of Israelis to live in their own communities in our ancestral home,” he added.
1525 GMT — ICJ considers Palestinians' right to have 'independent and sovereign state'
ICJ considers Palestinians' right to have an "independent and sovereign state" living side by side in peace with Israel would contribute to regional stability
1324 GMT —Palestinian territories are single territorial unity — ICJ
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has declared that, from a legal perspective, the occupied Palestinian territory is a "single territorial unity" that must be preserved and respected.
The ICJ also stressed that the Hague regulations are now part of customary international law, making them binding on Israel.
Furthermore, the top United Nations court ruled that Israel's settlement policy and use of natural resources in the occupied Palestinian territories violate international law.
The World Court emphasised that the protections afforded by the Human Rights Convention remain in force during armed conflicts or occupations.
The ICJ noted that occupation is intended to be a temporary measure, driven by military necessity and cannot confer sovereignty to the occupying power.
1231 GMT — Germany concerned over Israel’s rejection of Palestinian state
Germany has expressed deep concern over the Israeli parliament's rejection of the establishment of a Palestinian state.
“The resolution contradicts several UN Security Council resolutions.
Israel is distancing itself from the overwhelming majority of the international community and isolating itself,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer told media representatives in Berlin
1228 GMT — EU condemns Israel's resolution against establishment of Palestinian state
The EU has condemned the Israeli parliament's recent resolution opposing the establishment of a Palestinian state, emphasising that a two-state solution remains the only viable path to peace and security in the Middle East.
“There is a strong consensus in the international community that the only sustainable solution that will bring peace and security to the Middle East is the two-state solution,” the bloc said in a written statement.
The EU reaffirms its commitment to achieving lasting peace through a two-state solution as outlined by the UN Security Council Resolutions 2735, 2728, 2720, and 2712, ensuring both Palestinians and Israelis can live in safety and dignity, the statement noted.
1225 GMT — Ireland says 'Israel cannot veto establishment of a Palestinian State'
Ireland has said that "Israel cannot veto (the) establishment of a Palestinian State."
“Appalled by Knesset resolution opposing Palestinian State even if part of negotiated settlement w/ Israel,” Martin wrote on X.
“Israel cannot veto (the) establishment of a Palestinian State. Only the two-state solution can provide lasting peace for Israel & Palestine Full support to HRVP statement,” he added, referring to a statement from EU High Representative Josep Borrell, in which he said the EU “deplores the resolution.”
1207 GMT — Israel kills at least 12 in central Gaza
At least 12 Palestinians were killed and 10 others were injured in an Israeli attack targeting central Gaza.
In a statement, the al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia in northern Gaza said they have received the bodies of at least seven Palestinians who were killed in an Israeli attack on two houses in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza.
The hospital added that 10 more Palestinians were injured in the Israeli attack.
1153 GMT — Germany concerned over Israel’s rejection of Palestinian state
Germany has expressed deep concern over the Israeli parliament's rejection of the establishment of a Palestinian state.
“The resolution contradicts several UN Security Council resolutions. Israel is distancing itself from the overwhelming majority of the international community and isolating itself,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer told media representatives in Berlin.
Although the resolution is not binding, "it is nevertheless a setback in our efforts to balance Israel's legitimate security interests with the Palestinians' right to self-determination," he said.
1143 GMT — Germany calls for end to war in Gaza
The German foreign minister has called for an end to the war in Gaza amid mounting civilian casualties due to the Israeli onslaught on Palestinians.
“This war in Gaza must finally end. There are no safe places for civilians in Gaza,” Annalena Baerbock said in a statement.
"Almost 80 percent of Gaza has been declared an evacuation zone by the Israeli army - children, the sick, the elderly, and pregnant women must also leave these areas. And even the few and absolutely overcrowded places declared by the Israeli army as safe zones are repeatedly hit,” she added.
1000 GMT — Israeli strikes kill several children in Gaza’s Nuseirat camp
At least eight Palestinians, including children, were killed and several others injured in overnight Israeli attacks on the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, sources said.
Medical sources told Anadolu that the bodies of eight Palestinians, including children, were transported to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al Balah, central Gaza.
Israeli forces fired intermittent artillery shells into the eastern areas of Deir al Balah and the southeast areas of the Bureij camp.
In Gaza City, eyewitnesses told Anadolu that Israeli vehicles fired smoke bombs near the Musalba area, south of the Zeitoun neighbourhood.
In southern Gaza, the Israeli army bombed residential buildings west of Rafah city, eyewitnesses told Anadolu.
This coincided with violent clashes between Palestinian resistance factions and Israeli forces in Rafah's western areas.
1100 GMT — UK lifts funding block on UN agency for Palestinian refugees
Britain's new government announced it has lifted the January funding suspension for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and committed to providing £21 million ($27 million) in new funds.
"We are overturning the suspension of UNRWA funding," British foreign minister David Lammy told parliament, adding that the UN agency was "absolutely central" to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, which is facing a humanitarian crisis sparked by Israel's war on Gaza.
"Humanitarian aid is a moral necessity in the face of such a catastrophe and it is aid agencies who ensure UK support reaches civilians on the ground", Lammy added.
1030 GMT — Israeli defence minister warns Houthis, Iran of consequences over drone attack
The Israeli defence minister warned the Yemeni Houthi group and Iran of consequences following a drone attack on Tel Aviv at dawn, which resulted in one fatality and 10 injuries.
“The security establishment is working to immediately reinforce all defense systems and will hold accountable anyone who harms the State of Israel or directs terrorism against it,” said Yoav Gallant in a statement following an assessment with senior Israeli military officials concerning the drone attack on Tel Aviv.
The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported that his remarks were directed at Iran and the Houthis.
0934 GMT — Hezbollah claims to have partially destroyed Israeli military base in Upper Galilee region
Hezbollah said that it fired a heavy barrage of missiles at an Israeli military base in the Upper Galilee region near the southern Lebanese border, causing fire and destroying some of it.
Hezbollah launched a heavy missile barrage on the Israeli military base in Ruwaisat al Alam, located in the occupied Kfar Shuba region of Upper Galilee, the Lebanon-based group said in separate statements.
The base was hit, catching fire and destroying some of its areas.
The group also launched an attack on the northern Israeli settlement of Mitzpe Abirim "for the first time with Katyusha misfiles."
0921 GMT — Israeli army claims drone striking Tel Aviv Iranian-made
The Israeli army claimed that the Houthi drone that struck Tel Aviv was Iranian-made of the type Samad-3.
In a press conference, the Israeli army spokesman, Daniel Hagari, said that the Houthi drone that struck Tel Aviv was an Iranian-made of the type Samad-3.
The drone was however launched from Yemen, he said.
“Since the beginning of the war, Israel and the American forces have intercepted dozens of drones that were launched from Yemen,” said the army spokesman.
There was no immediate comment from the Iranian side on the Israeli claims.
0902 GMT — FIFA puts off decision on Palestinian proposal to suspend Israel from int'l football
FIFA, the world football's governing body, delayed a decision on a Palestinian bid to suspend Israel from international football.
"An independent legal assessment of the Palestinian Football Association proposals against the Israel Football Association was due to be provided to FIFA Council by 20 July 2024," FIFA said in a statement.
"Following requests for an extension from both parties to submit their respective positions, duly granted by FIFA, more time is needed to conclude this process with due care and completeness," it added.
FIFA added that the assessment will be shared with the FIFA Council for any subsequent decision no later than August 31.
06:21 GMT — Houthis claim responsibility for Tel Aviv drone strike
Yemen’s Houthi group has claimed responsibility for a drone strike on Tel Aviv that injured at least 10 people and killed one, according to authorities.
The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported that “a bomb-laden drone exploded at the intersection of Shalom Aleichem and Ben Yehuda Streets in Tel Aviv, hundreds of meters away from the American Embassy.”
The Israeli army spokesman stated that “the explosion occurred in the early morning hours on Friday in Tel Aviv due to an aerial attack.”
05:43 GMT — UN court opinion due on occupied Palestinian land
The UN's top court will hand down its view on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967, amid growing international pressure over Israel's war on Gaza.
Any opinion delivered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) would be non-binding, but it comes amid mounting concern over Israel's war on Gaza.
A separate high-profile case brought before the court by South Africa alleges that Israel has committed genocidal acts during its brutal Gaza offensive.
Judges will read their findings at 1300 GMT at the opulent Peace Palace in The Hague, the home of the ICJ.
04:46 GMT — 2 more Hezbollah militants killed in border clashes with Israel
Two more Hezbollah militants were killed in clashes with Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, the group has announced.
It identified the militants as senior Radwan Force commander Ali Jaafar Maatuk, 51, also known as “Habib Maatuk,” and Hasan Ali Muhanna, 40, also known as "Abu Hadi.” It did not provide any details about the circumstances of their deaths, however.
At least 372 Hezbollah members have been killed since the outbreak of cross-border clashes with the Israeli army on Oct. 8, 2023, according to an Anadolu tally.
04:30 GMT — US destroys 2 Houthi missiles, 4 UAVs in Yemen
The US military destroyed two surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and four uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) on the ground in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has said.
"It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region," CENTCOM wrote on X.
"These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure," it added.
The Houthis have been targeting Israeli-linked cargo ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in solidarity with Gaza, which has been under an Israeli onslaught since Oct. 7 last year.
04:05 GMT — New health crisis in Gaza as poliovirus found in sewage
A new health crisis unfolded in besieged Gaza with the detection of poliovirus in sewage, the Gaza Health Ministry revealed.
A ministry statement noted that "tests on sewage samples, conducted in coordination with UNICEF, confirmed the presence of the poliovirus."
The statement added that the presence of the virus in sewage, which flows through areas with displaced persons and residential zones due to infrastructure destruction, "represents a new health crisis."
03:00 GMT — Israel kills 5 in Gaza air strikes
Israel has killed five Palestinians and wounded others after bombing a home in the Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza, the civil defence agency reported.
The air strike targeted the home of the Abu Hasna family, claiming the lives of five people and wounding others, the agency added.
The attack also destroyed the house and inflicted significant damage on nearby buildings, witnesses told Anadolu Agency.
For our live updates from Thursday, July 18, 2024, click here.
