Kerry Pushes for Cease-fire in Gaza, Toll Crosses 800
The United States Secretary of State John F. Kerry is pushing for a ceasefire in the war torn Gaza strip where the Israeli offensive against Hamas on the 18th day has caused 815 Palestinian deaths and 32 soldiers and 3 civilians have died in Israel.
John Kerry along with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and UN chief Ban Ki-moon has advised a humanitarian truce of at least five days between Israel and Hamas and both are reported to be considering it. A pervious Egypt-led ceasefire bid was rejected by Hamas.
Friday marks the final day of the holy month of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting and prayer, with celebrations expected to begin for Eid in the coming week , hence a short-term halt to hostilities will be welcome.
But the Palestinian Fatah movement has called for a 'day of rage' on Friday to protest the blitzing of the Gaza strip by Israel and it is feared that it might turn into a flash point, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Palestinian neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem on Thursday saw thousands clash with Israeli forces. At least two protestors were killed, according to news reports.
Israel has not stopped its air strikes against Gaza and claimed that the latest offensive had killed a senior member of the militant Islamic Jihad group, reports the BBC.
If the temporary truce comes through then it is proposed that a more permanent peace can be brokered by the diplomats involved, reports BBC.
