Description
Added on the 16/07/2014 04:47:01 - Copyright : Euronews EN
Israeli air strikes are seen in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, while rockets are being fired towards Israel from Gaza City. Israel launched earlier deadly air strikes on Gaza in response to a barrage of rockets fired by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, amid spiralling violence sparked by unrest at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. IMAGES
The White House says it is "cautiously optimistic" on the chances for a Gaza ceasefire deal after a new proposal by Hamas but stressed that talks were far from over. "We're cautiously optimistic that things are moving in the right direction," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby tells reporters in a press briefing. SOUNDBITE
A plume of smoke is seen rising over Rafah following air strikes. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Saturday the wartime death toll in the Palestinian territory had reached 30,320 after 92 new fatalities were recorded in the previous 24 hours. IMAGES
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says "an immediate full ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas which collapses into fighting "would not be in anyone's interest" ahead of a parliamentary debate on the issue. Speaking during his weekly question session, Sunak tells the House of Commons that he backs an "immediate humanitarian pause" ahead of a motion and vote on a ceasefire in the chamber. SOUNDBITE
Smoke rises following air strikes on Khan Yunis, seen from Rafah. Israel faced growing international pressure to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas, as it prepared for an incursion into the crowded southern Gaza city of Rafah where more than a million Palestinians are trapped. IMAGES
Israel announced the rescue of two hostages in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where the Hamas-run health ministry said 52 Palestinians including children were killed in heavy overnight air strikes. IMAGES