Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi announced Nov. 17 that peace talks are progressing toward a ceasefire in the recent escalation of violence in Gaza and southern Israel. Mursi invited Qatar's Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal to Cairo for ceasefire discussions after the recent violence broke the informal truce brokered by Egypt between Israel and Hamas in October. After rocket attacks by Palestinian militants into Israel this week, violence began to escalate on Nov. 14 with the killing of Hamas military chief Ahmed Jabari in a targeted air strike by the Israel Defense Forces. The next day Palestinian forces responded with rocket fire aimed at multiple Israeli cities and towns. Thus far, 45 Palestinians and three Israelis have been killed and hundreds more have been injured.
UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Navi Pillay on Nov. 16 called for a ceasefire by both sides involved in the conflict, expressing concern over both the Palestinian rocket fire that took place over the past week as well as the resulting aerial attacks by Israel. In June, the UN urged Israel to end its blockade of the Gaza Strip, alleging violations of international law.
From Jurist, Nov. 17. Used with permission.
Israel targets media, refugee camp
An Israeli airstrike damaged two media headquarters in Gaza City early Nov. 18, injuring six journalists. Khader al-Zahhar, a cameraman with al-Quds TV, had a leg amputated due to injuries sustained in the attack. The al-Shawa building, struck in the early hours, houses a number of media organizations, including Ma’an News Agency’s headquarters in the Gaza Strip. A Ma’an correspondent said the impact was focused on the eleventh floor, where the office of al-Quds TV is located. An Israeli army spokesman said forces targeted the antennae of the building, asserting it was used by Hamas.
Another Israeli airstrike a few hours later. hit a second media complex in Gaza City , the al-Shuruq building. Sky News Arabia and Al-Arabiya reported that their offices have been affected. There were no initial reports of injuries. (Ma’an, Nov. 18)
Two children were killed and more than 12 people injured as two houses were bombed in northern Gaza’s Jabalia refugee camp. Israeli shelling pummeled Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza overnight, while fighter jets struck southern Gaza. Israeli gunboats shelled the coastline of Gaza City and central Gaza, eyewitnesses said. (Ma’an, Nov. 18)