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Live blog: Israeli delegation for Gaza ceasefire to visit Qatar on Monday
Israeli aggression on besieged Gaza — now in its 163rd day — has killed at least 31,553 Palestinians and wounded 73,546 others as calls grow for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down
The situation in Gaza is “catastrophic and deteriorates by the minute,” the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) warns. / Photo: AA
AA
The situation in Gaza is “catastrophic and deteriorates by the minute,” the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) warns. / Photo: AA
Sunday, March 17, 2024
2330 GMT — An Israeli delegation, which will participate in ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, will visit Qatar as the Arab Gulf state is serving as an intermediary, sources said.
The Israeli War Cabinet will meet Sunday, according to Israel’s public broadcaster KAN.
The delegation headed by Mossad President David Barnea will not go to Qatar before Monday, as the meeting will be held late Sunday.
Following the Israeli Cabinet’s deliberation on a ceasefire proposal by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, Tel Aviv announced Friday it will send a delegation to Doha to speak with officials.
More updates 👇
0144 GMT — UAE, Egypt make 9th Gaza aid airdrop
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt air forces carried out a ninth airdrop of humanitarian and relief aid into Gaza.
The joint operation was carried out using two aircraft carrying 33 tons of food and medical aid, the Joint Operations Command of the UAE Defense Ministry wrote on X.
The Egyptian Defense Ministry said the Egyptian Air Force “intensified their air aid delivery activities” from Al-Arish Airport to Gaza in coordination with the UAE Air Force.
2335 GMT — Situation in Gaza ‘catastrophic,’ says Doctors Without Borders nurse
Gaza is “catastrophic” according to a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) nurse working in the region.
“The current situation in Gaza is catastrophic and words can’t describe it,” MSF wrote on X, citing Loay Harb who is working in northern Gaza.
Harb said the group has no electricity, water, flour or internet connection, which has created instability for residents.
“We are going through very difficult times due to the siege, poverty, and starvation,” he added.
2300 GMT — Palestinians in northern Gaza only option to eat is to collect legumes, rice amid sand, gravel
Palestinians in Gaza have no other option but to gather legumes and rice from the sand and gravel to provide food for their children during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
That is because grains were scattered from a shipment dropped by a plane but it fell into the sea. The plane was distributing aid above the northern part of the enclave.
Anadolu observed a group of Palestinians on the beach in northern Gaza gathering rice, lentils and pasta from the sands and gravel. They separated them using a small sieve.
One told Anadolu that the plane dropped the shipment but it fell into the sea, and they were unable to retrieve it.
For our live updates from Saturday, March 16, click here.
SOURCE: TRTWORLD AND AGENCIES
