Gaza Dispute
Live Reporting
Austin and Gallant discuss Iran, spread of polio in Gaza
Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant have discussed the possibility of an attack by Iran and “its proxies” on Israel, Al Jazeera reports.
Iran’s leaders have pledged retaliation after the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh on July 31 in Tehran.
In addition, the two discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the “need to address the potential spread of polio”.
“Secretary Austin informed the Minister that the United States continues to monitor attack planning from Iran and its proxies and is well postured across the region to defend Israel and protect US personnel and facilities,” according to the statement.
‘Progress made’ in Cairo talks on Gaza truce: White House
The White House has said that talks in Cairo on reaching a Gaza truce have made progress and that CIA chief William Burns is also taking part, AFP reports.
“There has been progress made. We need now for both sides to come together and work towards implementation,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, describing talks as preliminary in nature ahead of more in-depth discussions.
Baby paralysed in Gaza’s first case of type 2 polio in 25 years: WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that a 10-month-old baby in conflict-ridden Gaza has been paralysed by the type 2 poliovirus, the first such case in the territory in 25 years with UN agencies appealing for urgent vaccinations of every baby, Reuters reports.
“Polio does not distinguish between Palestinian and Israeli children,” the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said in a post on X.
“Delaying a humanitarian pause will increase the risk of spread among children,” Philippe Lazzarini added.
Fighting ‘rages’ between Israeli forces, Hamas in central Gaza: report
Israeli forces are operating in the eastern area of Deir el-Balah city in central Gaza, while Palestinians remain trapped in the western side, Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum reports.
Horrific bombardment took place overnight and into the early hours of the morning, Azzoum says, adding that he continues to hear sounds of explosions and Israeli drones.
“The fighting is really raging between Hamas fighters and Israeli forces in eastern areas of the city,” the Al Jazeera reporter says.
Spy equipment targeted in northern Israel: Hezbollah
The Lebanese group says it carried out the strike on the equipment located in the Israeli base in Meron, near the border with Lebanon.
It said the strike was conducted “hit the target directly, leading to its destruction”.
The Israeli army, which reported the attack earlier, said no causalities resulted, according to the local media.
Separately, Hezbollah said its fighters attacked the Israeli army’s “al-Malikiyah site” at 9:40am (06:40 GMT) with artillery shells, without giving further details.
Polio spares no one in its relentless spread
To stop polio from spreading, it is crucial that the UN’s upcoming vaccination drive covers all young children, said the head of the UN’s agency for Palestinians Philippe Lazzarini.
“It is not enough to bring the vaccines into Gaza and protect the cold chain,” said Lazzarini in a post on X. “To have an impact, the vaccines must end up in the mouths of every child under the age of 10.”
Lazzarini warned that polio, the first case of which was confirmed in Gaza last week, could spread among children, even outside the territory, without a quick humanitarian response.
“Polio will not make the distinction between Palestinian and Israeli children,” he said.
US mediation in Gaza war just a smoke and mirrors game
Tamer Qarmout, an assistant professor in public policy at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, argues the US administration’s mediation in the Gaza war is more about optics than a sincere push for peace.
“From the onset of the war, the diplomatic behaviour of the Americans has not been what you would expect from a mediator,” said Qarmout, pointing to Washington’s continued supply of weapons to Israel. “The US has sadly chosen to be partner to Israel during this war.”
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Qarmout claimed the administration of US President Joe Biden is simply “pretending” to engage in high-stakes diplomacy to end the war so it has a “ready answer” for pro-Palestine voters who are disillusioned with the Democratic Party ahead of November elections.
“In reality, [the administration] is just siding with Israel,” Qarmout said. “I think the behaviour of the US administration shows they’re committed to helping Netanyahu achieve the victory he is looking for”.
Palestinian state a pandora's box: Katz
The Israeli foreign minister says a Palestinian state would mean an Iranian base in Gaza and the occupied West Bank – just like in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Iraq.
He added on X that this would threaten Israel’s population centres, flight paths, shipping routes and economic hubs.
“We cannot let this happen,” Katz also said.
Israeli officials frequently attack the possibility of the creation of a Palestinian state, even though a two-state solution is the official policy of the US, Israel’s closest and most powerful ally.
Conflict escalates in Gaza
Medical sources say at least 47 people have been killed since dawn in Gaza as Israel’s military has stepped up operations in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza and Khan Younis in the south.
US envoy claims ceasefire deal “now in sight”
US envoy to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the UN Security Council that a ceasefire and captive release deal is “now in sight”.
She has urged calm in the Middle East.
Netanyahu shoots down reports of international force in Gaza
Isreali Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shot down the reports suggesting that his country is mulling over the idea of an international force being deployed along the Philadelphi Corridor, the narrow border strip separating Gaza and Egypt.
Israeli negotiators in Cairo to hammer out ceasefire talks
Israeli negotiators have reportedly reached Cairo for the next round of ceasefire talks.
Media reports that the issue of the Egypt-Gaza border is expected to be discussed by the concerned stakeholders.
Pro-Palestinian protesters clash with police near Chicago's Israeli consulate on second night of DNC
CHICAGO (AP) — Multiple pro-Palestinian demonstrators were arrested Tuesday after clashing with police during a protest that began outside the Israeli consulate and spilled out onto the surrounding streets on the second night of the Democratic National Convention.
The intense confrontations with officers began minutes into the demonstration, after some protesters – many dressed in black, their faces covered – charged at a line of police that had blocked the group from marching. They eventually moved past the officers, but were penned in several times throughout the night by police in riot gear who did not allow protesters to disperse.
Israeli intelligence chiefs attend talks in Cairo as Gaza bombing continues
CAIRO (AFP) - The heads of Israel's Mossad spy agency and Shin Bet domestic security service were taking part in talks towards an eventual Gaza hostage agreement in Cairo on Thursday, an Israeli government spokesman said. Meanwhile, the Israeli military continued to bomb several locations in the Gaza strip, killing at least five people, according to the Gaza civil defence agency.
Israeli negotiators were taking part Thursday in talks on Gaza in Cairo, a government spokesman said, as fighting raged on the ground despite US pressure on Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement.
Truce hopes fade as Gaza rocked by Israeli bombardment, battles
GAZA STRIP (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Hopes were dwindling Thursday for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, where fighting raged despite US pressure on Israel and Palestinian group Hamas to reach an agreement.
After more than 10 months of war, officials from the United States and mediators Egypt and Qatar had been set to meet in Cairo for a new round of negotiations this week, but confirmation was still pending.
