Live Updates: Gaza truce talks haven't paused, military chief survived — Hamas

Monday, July 15, 2024

06:20 GMT — Gaza truce talks haven't paused, military chief survived — Hamas

Hamas said that Gaza ceasefire talks continue and the group’s military commander is in good health, a day after the Israeli military targeted Mohammed Deif with a massive air strike that local health officials said killed at least 90 people, including children.

The Israeli military said Rafa Salama, a Hamas commander it described as one of Deif's closest associates, was killed in Saturday's strike. Salama had commanded Hamas' Khan Younis brigade.

Hamas rejected the idea that mediated ceasefire discussions had been suspended. Spokesperson Jihad Taha said “there is no doubt that the horrific massacres will impact any efforts in the negotiations” but added that “efforts and endeavors of the mediators remain ongoing.”

05:30 GMT — Israeli army bombs sites in southern Lebanon

Israeli fighter jets bombed sites in the village of Ayta ash Shab and the town of Meiss El Jabal in southern Lebanon.

Warplanes renewed their raids on Ayta ash Shab, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

An air strike destroyed a house in the town of Meiss El Jabal in Marjayoun district without causing any injuries, according to the agency.

04:40 GMT — Hamas chief, Iranian president discuss developments in Israel’s war on Gaza

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh spoke by phone Sunday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on developments in Israel's ongoing offensive on embattled Gaza.

Hamas said in a statement on its Telegram channel that Haniyeh called President Pezeshkian “to discuss political and field developments related to the genocidal war being waged by the (Israeli) occupation on Gaza and overall developments related to the Palestinian cause.”

Haniyeh said “the massacres of civilians (in a displaced people’s camp) near Khan Younis and (near the ruins of a mosque at) the Shati refugee camp (in Gaza City) on Saturday came despite the positive stance of Hamas and the resistance factions towards cease-fire talks.”

04:00 GMT — Brazil's Lula condemns attack killing 90 displaced Palestinians in Gaza

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva released a statement condemning an Israeli airstrike in a designated humanitarian “safe zone” in southern Gaza that killed at least 90 Palestinians, calling on world leaders to speak up against an "endless massacre."

Israel said it targeted Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif in the attack Saturday on a displaced people’s camp, which also wounded at least 300 civilians.

“The Israeli government continues to sabotage the peace process and the cease-fire in the Middle East,” said Lula on his X account.

For our live updates from Sunday, July 14, 2024, click here.