Live Updates: Abbas demands Israel 'rapidly and completely' withdraw from Gaza

Saturday, March 30, 2024

03:53 GMT — Abbas demands Israel 'rapidly and completely' withdraw from Gaza

Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas has said that Israel must "rapidly and completely" withdraw from besieged Gaza and cease all unilateral actions in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian news agency, WAFA.

The remarks were made when Abbas spoke with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on the telephone, focusing on the Palestinian issue.

Abbas stressed the importance of the Palestinian state assuming its responsibilities in Gaza, similar to the occupied West Bank and highlighted the necessity of establishing a mechanism for humanitarian and medical aid entry into Gaza.

03:27 GMT — More than 100 protests against Israel held in Morocco

Fifty-two cities in Morocco have held demonstrations in solidarity with Gaza on the third Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, according to a statement from the Support for Ummah Issues Foundation.

The civil society organisation said more than 100 protests were organised in the cities.

Thousands participated in rallies held in cities such as Tangier, Casablanca, Tetouan, Agadir, an d Chefchaouen.

03:00 GMT — US rejects UN report accusing Israel of 'genocide' in Gaza

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller has rejected "unfounded" allegations of genocide in besieged Gaza.

Miller commented on the report released on Wednesday by the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine, Francesca Albanese, which said Israel's actions against Palestinians in Gaza have "crossed the threshold of committing 'genocide' against Palestinians in Gaza."

He said Washington fully supports Tel Aviv on the issue without entering into a discussion of possible war crimes that Israel may have committed.

For our live updates from Friday, March 29, click here.