Kamala Harris to meet Benny Gantz next week
Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with Benny Gantz, a member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet, on Monday, according to White House officials, as the U.S. continues to push Israel for a cease-fire agreement.
President Biden will not be present at the meeting, officials said.
Harris is likely to discuss the urgency of a temporary cease-fire deal and hostage exchange, the need to rebuild Gaza, and the distribution of enhanced aid and humanitarian support in the strip, the White House said. Talks between Israel and Hamas towards a cease-fire were thrown into question last week after 118 people were killed in Gaza City while queuing for aid.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will also separately meet with Gantz, according to the White House.
Nabulsi roundabout death toll rises to 118
Two more bodies have been recovered from the Nabulsi roundabout in Gaza City, where hundreds of people were killed and wounded after Israeli forces opened fire a crowd trying to access humanitarian aid trucks, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The discovery of the bodies brings the death toll to 118, with over 750 people injured during the attack, the ministry said, warning that the death toll is likely to rise further in coming days due to the lack of medical and surgical equipment and oxygen at Gaza’s hospitals to treat the wounded.
Israel denies shooting into crowds of people attempting to access aid on Thursday, and claims the majority of people were killed and injured by “overcrowding” and a crush attempting to escape after the IDF fired “warning shots” at a limited mob who presented an unspecified threat to soldiers.
Eyewitnesses and doctors who spoke to NBC News said a large number of people hospitalized presented with gunshot wounds.
Thousands join Israeli hostage families in march on Jerusalem
JERUSALEM — A march by thousands of Israelis demanding the release of hostages held in Gaza…
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