Live Updates: Israel targets Gaza aid group, killing multiple foreign staffers

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

04:21 GMT — Israel targets Gaza aid group, killing multiple foreign staffers

Five people working for an aid organisation, including four foreigners, have been killed by Israel in an air strike on their vehicle in Deir al Balah city in central Gaza, local authorities said.

"Israel struck a foreign team that consists of British, Polish and Australian nationals and another nationality still not identified, in addition to a Palestinian from Gaza," said Ismail Thawabteh, the director of the Government Media Office, at a press conference.

Eyewitnesses told Anadolu Agency that the vehicle belonged to World Central Kitchen (WCK), a US-based aid organisation founded by celebrity humanitarian-chef Jose Andres.

03:40 GMT — Israel, US discuss Rafah invasion

The United States has said that it had expressed concerns to Israel about its planned invasion in Rafah in besieged Gaza, and that Israel had pledged to "take these concerns into account."

The two sides had a "constructive engagement on Rafah" during the videoconference meeting, attended by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the White House said in a statement.

"The US side expressed its concerns with various courses of action in Rafah. The Israeli side agreed to take these concerns into account and to have follow-up discussions," the statement added.

03:13 GMT — Al Jazeera condemns 'dangerous' Israel action against network

Al Jazeera has condemned what it called "dangerous" moves by the Israeli government to ban the Qatar-based news channel amid a long-running battle over its reporting intensified by coverage of Tel Aviv's genocide in besieged Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will use new powers to stop Al Jazeera being shown in Israel, calling it a "terrorist channel".

In response, Al Jazeera said it "condemns these statements and sees [them] as nothing but a dangerous ludicrous lie".

02:27 GMT — France seeks UNSC resolution for Gaza truce monitoring

France has proposed a draft United Nations Security Council resolution that seeks options for possible UN monitoring of a ceasefire in besieged Gaza and proposals to help the Palestinian Authority assume responsibilities.

"It's an ambitious project. It will take time," French UN Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere said of the text, which will need at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the four other permanent members: the United States, Britain, Russia and China.

The draft resolution, seen by the Reuters news agency, also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all captives still held in Gaza.

02:00 GMT — Russia slams 'unacceptable' Israeli strike on Syria

Moscow has accused Israel of carrying out an "unacceptable" attack on a diplomatic building in Syria that destroyed the Iranian embassy's consular annexe in Damascus.

"On the evening of April 1, the Israeli Air Force struck the Iranian consulate building in Damascus," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"We strongly condemn this unacceptable attack against the Iranian consular mission in Syria."

For our live updates from Monday, April 1, click here.