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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US 'actively seeks' Mid-East deal | US 'actively seeks' Mid-East deal |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The US envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, has said Washington is committed to "actively and aggressively" seeking lasting peace. | The US envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, has said Washington is committed to "actively and aggressively" seeking lasting peace. |
| He announced that President Barack Obama had directed him to spend $20.3m (£14.1m) on food and medical aid to the wounded and displaced in Gaza. | He announced that President Barack Obama had directed him to spend $20.3m (£14.1m) on food and medical aid to the wounded and displaced in Gaza. |
| Mr Mitchell is on a regional tour aimed at consolidating ceasefires declared by Israel and Palestinian groups in Gaza. | Mr Mitchell is on a regional tour aimed at consolidating ceasefires declared by Israel and Palestinian groups in Gaza. |
| Earlier, Mr Mitchell met Israeli politicians and intelligence officials. | Earlier, Mr Mitchell met Israeli politicians and intelligence officials. |
| George Mitchell on President Obama's ''deep concern'' for the suffering in Gaza | George Mitchell on President Obama's ''deep concern'' for the suffering in Gaza |
| These included Isaac Herzog, Israel's current welfare minister, and the leader of the opposition Likud party, Binyamin Netanyahu. | These included Isaac Herzog, Israel's current welfare minister, and the leader of the opposition Likud party, Binyamin Netanyahu. |
| Mr Netanyahu is the leading candidate to be Israel's next prime minister. | Mr Netanyahu is the leading candidate to be Israel's next prime minister. |
| Mr Mitchell has held previous talks with Egyptian, Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Later on Friday he is due to travel to the Jordanian capital, Amman. | Mr Mitchell has held previous talks with Egyptian, Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Later on Friday he is due to travel to the Jordanian capital, Amman. |
| 'Difficulties ahead' | 'Difficulties ahead' |
| Mr Mitchell spoke at an United Nations Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa) warehouse in front of pallets loaded with aid bound for Gaza. | Mr Mitchell spoke at an United Nations Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa) warehouse in front of pallets loaded with aid bound for Gaza. |
| GAZA CRISIS href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7802295.stm">Aid worker diary: Part 24 class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7855070.stm">Counting casualties of Gaza's warGaza slowly begins rebuildingBowen diary: Hitting home | |
| He announced that Mr Obama had earmarked the $20.3m for aid to Gaza on top of $40m allocated to humanitarian programmes there since hostilities broke out in late December. | He announced that Mr Obama had earmarked the $20.3m for aid to Gaza on top of $40m allocated to humanitarian programmes there since hostilities broke out in late December. |
| "The United States remains committed to actively and aggressively seeking a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians as well as between Israel and its Arab neighbours," he said. | "The United States remains committed to actively and aggressively seeking a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians as well as between Israel and its Arab neighbours," he said. |
| "The tragic violence in Gaza and in south Israel offers a sobering reminder of the very serious and difficult challenges and, unfortunately, the setbacks that will come. | "The tragic violence in Gaza and in south Israel offers a sobering reminder of the very serious and difficult challenges and, unfortunately, the setbacks that will come. |
| "It is important to consolidate a sustainable and durable ceasefire while addressing immediately humanitarian needs," he said. | "It is important to consolidate a sustainable and durable ceasefire while addressing immediately humanitarian needs," he said. |
| On Thursday Mr Mitchell met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. | On Thursday Mr Mitchell met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. |
| Following the meeting he called for Israel to open the crossing points into Gaza and for the Palestinian Authority to participate in a border regime in Gaza that prevents, Hamas, the militant group that controls the territory, from rearming. | Following the meeting he called for Israel to open the crossing points into Gaza and for the Palestinian Authority to participate in a border regime in Gaza that prevents, Hamas, the militant group that controls the territory, from rearming. |
| Many see Mr Mitchell's presence as a sign that the US is re-engaging - but few expect to see much progress soon, as Israel is in an election campaign with the right-wing Likud ahead in the polls, BBC Jerusalem correspondent Bethany Bell says. | Many see Mr Mitchell's presence as a sign that the US is re-engaging - but few expect to see much progress soon, as Israel is in an election campaign with the right-wing Likud ahead in the polls, BBC Jerusalem correspondent Bethany Bell says. |
| On Thursday the United Nations launched an appeal for $613m to help people affected by Israel's three-week military offensive in the Gaza Strip. | On Thursday the United Nations launched an appeal for $613m to help people affected by Israel's three-week military offensive in the Gaza Strip. |
| The offensive, which ended on 18 January, killed about 1,300 Palestinians, of whom 412 were children; 21,000 homes were destroyed or badly damaged. | The offensive, which ended on 18 January, killed about 1,300 Palestinians, of whom 412 were children; 21,000 homes were destroyed or badly damaged. |
| Thirteen Israelis were killed during the three weeks of violence. | Thirteen Israelis were killed during the three weeks of violence. |