Live Updates: Erdogan calls on US, UNSC to pressure Israel on Gaza truce

Thursday, June 13, 2024

1337 GMT — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on members of the United Nations Security Council, particularly the United States, to pressure Israel into a ceasefire in Gaza after the Council backed a US proposal earlier this week.

Speaking in Madrid alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Erdogan said Ankara welcomed any ceasefire proposals that would end the Gaza war, adding Washington's stance on Israel's attacks there were "truly upsetting" Türkiye.

1411 GMT — Spain, Türkiye share 'urgent, imperative' need to achieve ceasefire: PM

The Spanish prime minister has said that his country and Türkiye share the "urgent and imperative" need to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.

"Regarding Gaza, both countries share the urgent, imperative need to achieve a ceasefire, the entry of humanitarian aid in proportion to the needs of the people of Gaza, and also the release of the hostages," Pedro Sanchez told a joint press conference in Madrid with Turkish President Erdogan.

1400 GMT — Israeli soldiers turn mosque in Gaza’s Rafah into 'cooking place'

Israeli soldiers have turned a mosque in Rafah in southern Gaza into a cooking place, a video showed.

The clip, circulated by an Israeli soldier on social media, showed the Muslim worship place being used by soldiers to serve meals.

It features large tables inside the mosque on which Israeli soldiers placed various types of food items.

A sticker affixed to a cardboard food box used by soldiers is also shown with a production date of May 22, which is likely the time when the video was shot.

2000 GMT — Hamas sees no sign of Israel agreeing to Biden's truce plan

Israel has killed at least six Palestinians and wounded 20 others in its bombardment on central Gaza, official WAFA news agency reported.

Israel struck a house in al Bureij camp, killing at least one civilian, WAFA said, adding Israel killed five Palestinians in a drone attack in al Mughraqa town.

2138 GMT — Hamas reports no signs of Israel accepting Biden's ceasefire proposal

Hamas said it has shown "full positivity" in efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement with Israel in besieged Gaza but also accused top US diplomat Antony Blinken of trying "to hold us accountable for obstructing truce deal" in collusion with Israel.

In a statement, the Palestinian resistance group said it urged the US, Israel's biggest ally, to pressure Israel to accept a deal leading to a permanent ceasefire in the blockaded enclave.

Hamas said that while US officials have said Israel has accepted a ceasefire proposal outlined by President Joe Biden on May 31, "we have not heard any Israeli official confirm this acceptance."

Earlier Hamas official Taher al-Nunu accused Blinken of bias, saying the top US diplomat has been acting like he is Israel's foreign minister.

"He lacks neutrality. He lacks even-handedness. He operates with double standards. He is trying to portray the [Palestinian] resistance as if it is the party obstructing the deal," al-Nunu told Qatar broadcaster Al Jazeera.

2120 GMT — Houthi boat-borne bomb strikes ship in Red Sea

Yemen's Houthi have launched a boat-borne bomb attack against a commercial ship in the Red Sea, authorities said.

Yemen's military spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for the attack, identifying the vessel targeted as the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier Tutor.

He described the attack as using a "drone boat," as well as drones and ballistic missiles.

In a warning to shippers, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre described the vessel as being hit in its stern by a small white craft southwest of the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeida.

The captain "reports the vessel is taking on water, and not under the command of the crew," the UKMTO said.

He also "reports the vessel was hit for a second time by an unknown airborne projectile."

For our live updates from Wednesday, June 12, 2024, click here.