This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28671776
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 6 | Version 7 |
---|---|
Gaza: Israeli-Palestinian indirect talks begin in Cairo | Gaza: Israeli-Palestinian indirect talks begin in Cairo |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Indirect talks between Israeli and Palestinian representatives are taking place in the Egyptian capital Cairo. | Indirect talks between Israeli and Palestinian representatives are taking place in the Egyptian capital Cairo. |
They come after a four-week conflict in Gaza that has claimed more than 1,900 lives. | They come after a four-week conflict in Gaza that has claimed more than 1,900 lives. |
Egyptian mediators are shuttling between the two delegations, relaying each side's demands. | Egyptian mediators are shuttling between the two delegations, relaying each side's demands. |
A 72-hour truce is now in its second day in Gaza, the longest lull in fighting since the conflict began on 8 July. | A 72-hour truce is now in its second day in Gaza, the longest lull in fighting since the conflict began on 8 July. |
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has called for an end to the "senseless cycle of suffering" in Gaza. | UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has called for an end to the "senseless cycle of suffering" in Gaza. |
Speaking at the General Assembly in New York, he strongly criticised Israel for shelling UN compounds during its offensive. | Speaking at the General Assembly in New York, he strongly criticised Israel for shelling UN compounds during its offensive. |
He said that while there were reports of Hamas rockets being fired from near UN premises, the "mere suspicion of militant activity does not justify jeopardising the lives and safety of many thousands of innocent civilians". | He said that while there were reports of Hamas rockets being fired from near UN premises, the "mere suspicion of militant activity does not justify jeopardising the lives and safety of many thousands of innocent civilians". |
US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged both sides to use the ceasefire to move towards broader negotiations. | US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged both sides to use the ceasefire to move towards broader negotiations. |
Mr Kerry told the BBC that the situation could "concentrate people's minds" on the need to negotiate a two-state solution. | Mr Kerry told the BBC that the situation could "concentrate people's minds" on the need to negotiate a two-state solution. |
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans have been returning to their homes. | Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans have been returning to their homes. |
The BBC's Jon Donnison, in Gaza City, says many people have found nothing left. | The BBC's Jon Donnison, in Gaza City, says many people have found nothing left. |
Analysis: Kevin Connolly, BBC News Jerusalem | Analysis: Kevin Connolly, BBC News Jerusalem |
Both sides are already acting as though this ceasefire will stick - Israel is re-opening southern road and rail routes, and people in Gaza are starting to move around more freely. | Both sides are already acting as though this ceasefire will stick - Israel is re-opening southern road and rail routes, and people in Gaza are starting to move around more freely. |
Faced with the alternative of making difficult concessions, the two sides may yet conclude that the current grudging truce is the best that can be achieved for now and that it's enough. | Faced with the alternative of making difficult concessions, the two sides may yet conclude that the current grudging truce is the best that can be achieved for now and that it's enough. |
If this latest round of fighting ends in that way, it seems certain to pave the way to another round sometime in the future. | If this latest round of fighting ends in that way, it seems certain to pave the way to another round sometime in the future. |
Analysis: Will the ceasefire last? | Analysis: Will the ceasefire last? |
The Palestinian delegation at the Cairo talks includes negotiators from Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, as well as members of Islamic Jihad and the Palestinian Authority. | The Palestinian delegation at the Cairo talks includes negotiators from Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, as well as members of Islamic Jihad and the Palestinian Authority. |
The names of those representing Israel have not been given. | The names of those representing Israel have not been given. |
The main Palestinian demands include the end of Israel's blockade of Gaza and the opening of border crossings. They will also want internationally funded reconstruction. | The main Palestinian demands include the end of Israel's blockade of Gaza and the opening of border crossings. They will also want internationally funded reconstruction. |
Senior Hamas official Izzat Rishq told AP: "We'd take the life of anyone who tries to take the weapons of resistance." | Senior Hamas official Izzat Rishq told AP: "We'd take the life of anyone who tries to take the weapons of resistance." |
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said 90% of the casualties in Gaza could have been avoided if Hamas had accepted a ceasefire proposed in Cairo on 15 July. | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said 90% of the casualties in Gaza could have been avoided if Hamas had accepted a ceasefire proposed in Cairo on 15 July. |
In a news conference, he said Hamas accepted the same proposal on 4 August, by which time the death toll had risen from 185 to more than 1,800. | In a news conference, he said Hamas accepted the same proposal on 4 August, by which time the death toll had risen from 185 to more than 1,800. |
In other developments: | In other developments: |
At the scene: Jon Donnison, Gaza | At the scene: Jon Donnison, Gaza |
Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza have been returning to their homes. Many have found nothing left. | Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza have been returning to their homes. Many have found nothing left. |
We met the Za'Noun family in Beit Hanoun, one of the worst affected areas right on the border with Israel. Their family home has been destroyed for the third time. | We met the Za'Noun family in Beit Hanoun, one of the worst affected areas right on the border with Israel. Their family home has been destroyed for the third time. |
The Za'Nouns will rebuild again. "Where else can we go?" Khalil Za'Noun, 80, asked me. | The Za'Nouns will rebuild again. "Where else can we go?" Khalil Za'Noun, 80, asked me. |
One of his 34 grandchildren, Mohammed, has already lived through four wars in his short life. He's just 14. | One of his 34 grandchildren, Mohammed, has already lived through four wars in his short life. He's just 14. |
But this will not be the last war in Gaza. This truce is only a short-term fix. None of the big issues between Israelis and Palestinians has been fixed. | But this will not be the last war in Gaza. This truce is only a short-term fix. None of the big issues between Israelis and Palestinians has been fixed. |
'Bigger, broader approach' | 'Bigger, broader approach' |
John Kerry told the BBC that the US fully supported Israel's right to defend itself against militant rocket attacks, but also supported Palestinians' desire for more freedoms and a better standard of living. | John Kerry told the BBC that the US fully supported Israel's right to defend itself against militant rocket attacks, but also supported Palestinians' desire for more freedoms and a better standard of living. |
Mr Kerry said a "bigger, broader approach to the underlying solution of two states" was needed - one that would provide security for Israel and "a better life and greater freedoms for the Palestinians". | Mr Kerry said a "bigger, broader approach to the underlying solution of two states" was needed - one that would provide security for Israel and "a better life and greater freedoms for the Palestinians". |
Return to rubble | Return to rubble |
The 72-hour truce came into effect at 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT) on Tuesday. | The 72-hour truce came into effect at 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT) on Tuesday. |
Israel withdrew all forces to positions outside Gaza - and many Gazans began to return. | Israel withdrew all forces to positions outside Gaza - and many Gazans began to return. |
Israel launched Operation Protective Edge on 8 July with the stated aim of ending rocket attacks and destroying tunnels used by Palestinian militants. | Israel launched Operation Protective Edge on 8 July with the stated aim of ending rocket attacks and destroying tunnels used by Palestinian militants. |
The latest figures from Gaza's health ministry list 1,867 deaths, mostly civilians. Some 64 Israeli soldiers, three civilians and a Thai national in Israel have died. | The latest figures from Gaza's health ministry list 1,867 deaths, mostly civilians. Some 64 Israeli soldiers, three civilians and a Thai national in Israel have died. |
Gaza's Deputy Economy Minister Taysir Amro said the cost could be up to $6bn (£3.55bn). | Gaza's Deputy Economy Minister Taysir Amro said the cost could be up to $6bn (£3.55bn). |
Separately, Israel has revealed it has arrested a Palestinian suspected of involvement in the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers in June. Hussam Qawasmeh was arrested on 11 July. | Separately, Israel has revealed it has arrested a Palestinian suspected of involvement in the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers in June. Hussam Qawasmeh was arrested on 11 July. |
The deaths and subsequent apparent revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager were key factors in escalating tension. | The deaths and subsequent apparent revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager were key factors in escalating tension. |