Israel-Hamas war: 19 killed in Israeli attacks in central and south Gaza, Slovenia recognises Palestinian state
At least 19 people were killed in separate air strikes and shelling in central and southern Gaza on Tuesday as the Jewish state intensified its offensive in the Palestinian territory amid growing international calls for an end to nearly eight months of fighting.
Palestinian medical officials said 17 people were killed in Israeli air strikes on the al-Bureij and al-Maghazi refugee camps and the town of Der al-Balah in central Gaza, and two policemen were killed in shelling while trying to deliver humanitarian aid in Rafah.
On the other hand, Slovenia became the latest European country to recognise Palestine as an independent state after Spain, Ireland and Norway, as its parliament approved the move by a majority. The action was part of a wider effort to pressure Israel to end the war in Gaza following Hama’s surprise attack on the Jewish state on October 7 last year.
Israel-Hamas war: Latest developments
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According to residents, Israeli tanks shelled the area east of the al-Nuseirat refugee camp, while Israeli forces launched air strikes on other parts of Gaza.
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Hamas said on Tuesday it could not agree to any ceasefire deal unless Israel made a “clear” commitment to a permanent ceasefire and its forces completely withdrew from the Gaza Strip.
This comes at a time when Qatar, which is part of the brokering deal between Hamas and Israel along with the US and Egypt, has called on the Jewish state to clarify its position to reach an agreement that its government would also agree to and support.
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Meanwhile, the Republican-led US House of Representatives passed a bill that would impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) over its prosecutor’s move to seek arrest warrants for Israeli officials over the war in Gaza.
The bill passed 247-155, with 42 Democrats supporting it along with Republicans. The measure will not become law, but it reflects the US’ continued support for Israel amid international criticism over the fighting in the Palestinian territory.
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In Slovenia, the country’s parliament passed a bill by 52 votes to recognise Palestine as a sovereign and independent state. With this, Slovenia became the latest EU country to recognise the Palestinian state, following Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria, with Malta saying it could make a decision on this soon.
“Today’s recognition of Palestine as a sovereign and independent state brings hope to the Palestinian people living in the West Bank and Gaza,” Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob tweeted.
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