Agencies
New York/Palestinian territories
The head of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) has expressed his support for the mediators working to achieve a deal to release the remaining captives in Gaza.
Palestinian fighters took about 250 people captive during the October 7 attack in southern Israel, in which more than 1,100 people were killed. Of those taken, 105 were released in a deal with Hamas but about 100 captives remain in Gaza. More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its war on Gaza.
Ronald Lauder, the president of the US-based WJC, said in a statement that he is grateful to “all parties involved in the effort to release all the remaining hostages” and acknowledged the roles played by Qatar and Egypt, alongside the United States, to secure the release of the captives.
“As already acknowledged by many in the international community, particularly the Qatari leadership, who has dedicated much time and effort in securing the release of all hostages and bringing humanitarian relief into Gaza, this is essential to regional stability and security,” he said.
The statement comes ahead of a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting on Tuesday.
Mediation efforts to secure a ceasefire are ongoing, with reports from US media indicating that the White House is preparing to put forward a new proposal to end the war.
In a television appearance last week, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, stressed his demand that Israel maintain military control over Gaza’s southern border area with Egypt – known as the Philadelphi Corridor – despite opposition from the Palestinians and the Egyptians.
This, along with his insistence on maintaining a military presence in the so-called Netzarim Corridor that has cut Gaza in half, is seen as a major roadblock to a ceasefire agreement.
Netanyahu’s position has hardened over recent months, despite massive protests across Israel calling for a deal to release the captives.
The protests have grown since six captives were found killed in southern Gaza last week. Israeli police estimate some 750,000 people participated in demonstrations on Saturday.
Family members of Israeli captives and groups representing them blame Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government for failing to secure a truce deal that would secure their release.Israel closes border crossings with Jordan following attackIsrael has closed all border crossings with Jordan after an armed man killed three border guards at King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge border crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan.
The Israeli military said the attacker arrived at the crossing from the adjoining al-Karameh town in Jordan in a truck on Sunday morning and opened fire at the border guards. Private security guards operate the crossing alongside Israeli security forces stationed there.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Israeli attacks on the Strip killed 33 Palestinians and wounded 145 others over the latest 24-hour reporting period.
At least 40,972 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7 last year. Another 94,761 people have been wounded.
The Palestinian Health Ministry has announced that 69 percent of children in Gaza have received their first dose of the polio vaccine since the start of the campaign seven days ago, the news agency Wafa reported.
The polio vaccination campaign is ongoing in Deir el-Balah and Khan Younis, as well as surrounding areas in southern Gaza. (Agencies)
