Hundreds Killed, Wounded in Gaza, across Palestine, as Israeli Attacks Continue (LIVE BLOG)

May 16, 2021 Blog, News, Videos
A moment of reflection following Israel's destruction of the Al-Jawhara tower in besieged Gaza. (Photo: Mahmoud Ajjour, the Palestine Chronicle)

Scores of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza following Israeli security forces’ crackdowns on Jerusalem worshippers and unarmed protesters. Follow our regularly updated Live Blog below for more information.

Thursday, May 20, 10:15 PM (GM+3)

BREAKING | The Israeli government votes to accept a ceasefire ‘from one side’, meaning without an agreement with the Palestinian resistance. The zero hour is expected to be 2 AM Palestine time, according to Israel’s Channel 12.

Thursday, May 20, 09:50 PM (GM+3)

BREAKING | 

– Israeli Media: Israel directs flights from Ben Gurion to Ramon Airport in anticipation of Palestinian Resistance rockets prior to the implementation of any ceasefire. 

– Qatar and Jordan: Ceasefire now and protect Al-Aqsa Mosque.

– Israeli Media: Ben Gurion Airport shuts down.

– Al-Quds Brigades: Our rockets of Badr 3 have reached Ashdod, Ashkelon and Neitvot.

– Official Israeli Media: American pressure behind anticipated ceasefire in Gaza

– Massive fire in a plastics factory in Gaza. Flames reach other factories in Gaza’s industrial area 

– Kuwaiti Foreign Minister: We support all international efforts aimed at ending Israeli aggression on Gaza.

Thursday, May 20, 02:00 PM (GM+3)

BREAKING | Israeli Artillery, Airstrikes Kill Three Palestinians in Gaza

WAFA: Three Palestinians were announced dead and others injured on Thursday evening in a series of Israeli artillery and airstrikes that hit Gaza City and the north of the Gaza Strip.

Thursday, May 20, 02:00 PM (GM+3)

UPDATE | Rafah Goes into Blackout following Israeli Artillery Strikes

WAFA: Israeli artillery bombing on the city of Rafah, in southern Gaza Strip, earlier today caused a cutoff of power supply in all of the city that is still ongoing until this moment. Meanwhile, a group of workers of the Electricity Corporation also survived one of the strikes, according to WAFA correspondent.

Thursday, May 20, 7:09 AM (GM+3)

BREAKING| Three members of the same family killed in the town of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. They include a physically disabled man and his pregnant wife.

Thursday, May 20, 1:45 AM (GM+3)

BREAKING: #Hamas officials tell @CNN: A ceasefire is at hand, probably within 24 hours.

Thursday, May 20, 1:30 AM (GM+3)

BREAKING | The Palestinian Health Ministry updates the number of casualties among Palestinians as a result of the ongoing Israeli onslaught in Gaza: 231 dead, including 63 children, 36 women and 16 elderly. Additionally, over 1,500 were wounded, of whom 50 are in critical condition. 

UPDATES | US Senator Bernie Sanders introduces resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire.

– Al Jazeera: The head of Hamas’ Political Bureau meets with the assistant secretary-general of the United Nations in Doha, Qatar.

Wednesday, May 04:56 PM (GM+3)

BREAKING | Arab League Accuses Israel of Ethnic Cleansing

The Arab League has convened an extraordinary meeting in Cairo to express solidarity with the Palestinians and condemn Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip.

Wednesday, May 04:52 PM (GM+3)

UPDATE | WAFA: Iranian Red Crescent Responds to Emergency Appeal over Gaza Crisis

The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has allocated $100,000 to support the Palestinian Red Crescent to provide medical items to the affected people in the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

Wednesday, May 04:00 PM (GM+3)

UPDATE | WAFA: A Palestinian was killed and over 10 others were wounded on Wednesday afternoon in the relentless Israeli bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip, according to witnesses.

– The Palestinian Health Ministry said the overall death toll reached 221, including 63 children. About 1,700 Palestinians have been wounded.

Wednesday, May 03:00 PM (GM+3)

UPDATE |  Russian Foreign Ministry: A senior Russian official warned Israel’s ambassador that actions that led to a further increase in civilian casualties in Gaza were unacceptable.

Wednesday, May 01:00 PM (GM+3)

BREAKING | AFP News Agency: Israel is assessing whether conditions are right to halt its air campaign against Palestinians in Gaza but is preparing for “more days” of airstrikes if necessary. “We are looking at when is the right moment for a ceasefire,” said an Israeli military source on condition of anonymity.

Wednesday, May 10:52 AM (GM+3)

UPDATES |

– Palestinian medical sources to Al Jazeera: 26 Palestinians were killed in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem since May 7.

– UNRWA to Al Jazeera: 48,000 Palestinians are now homeless, distributed to 58 UNRWA-run schools in the Gaza Strip.

Wednesday, May 08:20 AM (GM+3)

UPDATES |

– Al Jazeera: 122 Israeli air raids in Gaza in 25 minutes.

– Al-Aqsa Radio: Yousef Abu Hussein, a radio journalist, was killed when his house was bombed in Gaza City this morning.

– Al Jazeera: Two houses destroyed in Khan Younes and Deir Balah in the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

– Israeli Army: 52 warplanes have taken part in the bombing of Gaza last night.

Wednesday, May 5:43 AM (GM+3)

BREAKING |

Palestinian medical sources: 3 Palestinians killed in an Israeli strike on a Palestinian home in central Gaza

One Palestinian woman killed in the town of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. #GazaUnderAttackk

Tuesday, May 18, 11 PM (GM+3)

BREAKING |

– Israeli war planes carry out over 50 strikes against the town of Rafah in the Southern Gaza Strip.

– The town of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, is under heavy Israeli bombardment.

– One woman killed and five injured in a strike targeting the towns of Khan Younis and Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

– AP: Israeli officials told the US that military operations will last for days.

– Pentagon: US Secretary of Defense repeated the US position that Israel has the right to defend itself.

– Israeli Channel 12: Israeli officials say that the war on Gaza have entered its final stages.

– Palestinian resistance retaliate by launching a rocket attack at an Israeli town.

Tuesday, May 18, 8:30 AM (GM+3)

European Union foreign ministers have called for a ceasefire and boosted humanitarian aid for Gaza but failed to reach the unanimity that might give the EU leverage in peacemaking.

Tuesday, May 18, 5:04 AM (GM+3)

BREAKING |

– A new early dawn Israeli strike targets the Nasr neighborhood in Gaza city.

– Aljazeera Arabic: More than 20 Israeli strikes reported in east and north of Gaza city overnight.

– Israeli navy boats strike the Gaza coast with shells and missiles.

– Israel attacks target Katiba neighborhood west of Gaza.

Tuesday, May 18, 4:51 AM (GM+3)

UPDATE | Politico: Dems Trash Biden’s Handling of Israeli Strikes in Gaza

“The White House’s refusal to publicly call for a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas has put the president at odds with key members of his own party as casualties continue to rise in both Gaza and Israel.

““I just think it’s a no-brainer for the United States to be pushing for a ceasefire,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said. “If Israel doesn’t believe a ceasefire is in their interest, that doesn’t mean we have to accept that judgment. We have enormous persuasive power.”

“The pressure campaign from top Democrats represents a recalibration of the party’s posture toward Israel, which has grown increasingly antagonistic on Capitol Hill after decades in which support for the Palestinian cause was seen as a political third rail. Many lawmakers have lost patience with Netanyahu, arguing that his government has taken actions against Palestinians that make a two-state solution to the conflict less achievable.”

Monday, May 17, 11:40 PM (GMT+3)

CEASEFIRE UPDATES: A Hamas official tells CNN that the ceasefire has been blocked by Israel for two reasons. One, its insistence that the resistance must ceasefire first. And two, Israel’s insistence to delink the ethnic cleansing of Sheikh Jarrah from its war on Gaza.

Monday, May 17, 11:40 PM (GMT+3)

BREAKING | Al Quds Brigades: We launched more rockets on Israel in retaliation for the continued targeting of Palestinian civilians.

Monday, May 17, 11:40 PM (GMT+3)

BREAKING |  Israel Shells the Lebanese Town of Kafr Shuba

Monday, May 17, 11:35 PM (GMT+3)

UPDATE | US Continues to Impede International Efforts

The US refuses a third draft at the United Nations, which aims at providing a united position regarding the violence in occupied Palestine.

Monday, May 17, 11:35 PM (GMT+3)

BREAKING | Three Rockets Fired from Southern Lebanon

Al Jazeera and other news media report that three rockest have reportedly been fired from southern Lebanon towards Israel. No more information is yet available regarding casualties.

Monday, May 17, 11:00 PM (GMT+3)

Our editor Ramzy Baroud discussing the Israeli destruction of Qatar Red Crescent Headquarters in Gaza.

Monday, May 17, 10:00 PM (GMT+3)

UPDATE | UNRWA: Israel Refuses to Open Humanitarian Corridors

UNRWA Director Matthias Schmale said Israel has not allowed humanitarian corridors during the hostilities. Asked about reports suggesting that Israel warned the UN agency that it planned to bomb two UN-run schools, Schmale said he had not received any direct warnings so far. “We have more than 41,000 people in 50 schools, so it would be of great concern if any of these installations were directly hit,” he added.

Monday, May 17, 12:30 PM (GMT+3)

UPDATE | Human Rights Groups Call for ICC Investigation over Media Tower Strike

Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International asked the International Criminal Court to investigate Israel’s bombing of a building housing media organizations, including Al Jazeera and the Associated Press, as a possible war crime.

Monday, May 17, 12:00 PM (GMT+3)

UPDATES | – The Israeli military conducted more than 100 airstrikes on various areas along the western part of Gaza city, targeting Ansar compound, al-Maqusi Towers, two houses including a four-story house near al-Shifa hospital, in addition to streets in al-Rimal, Tel al-Hawa, Sheikh Ajlin and the western part of Zeitoun neighborhoods.

– According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, the death toll has risen to 192 people, including 58 children, and 34 women.

Monday, May 17, 1:51 AM (GMT+3)

BREAKING | 60 Strikes in Less than Half an Hour

Massive Israeli bombing campaign is currently underway throughout the Gaza Strip, targeting northern, southern and central Gaza City, in addition to Khan Younis, Sheikh Ijlin and other areas.

One of the strikes has reportedly targeted an area close to the Shifa hospital. This is considered the most intense Israeli strikes on Gaza since they began nearly a week ago.

Sunday, May 16, 10:00 pm (GMT+3)

UPDATES | 

US Senator Bernie Sanders: Gaza devastation ‘unconscionable’ (AJE English) 

Israeli Officials: US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken didn’t pressure Israel to end military operations. (AXIOS) 

Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, tweets: 40+ @UNRWA schools now open as shelters for > 34000 people displaced w/ limited access to water,  no food or health care. Call to support #UNRWA to help displaced and affected #PalestineRefugees (Social Media)

Sunday, May 16, 07:30 pm (GMT+3)

UPDATES: Jordan: Israel is Responsible for Current Situation

– Jordan’s foreign minister said Israel as an occupying force “shoulders the responsibility” for the current situation in the occupied territories and Gaza. “Israel the occupying power shoulders the responsibility for the difficult situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and everything that is caused by the bloodshed and the destruction and the suffering,” Ayman Safadi said at United Nations.

– Jordan’s King: Jordan’s King Abdullah said his kingdom was involved in intensive diplomacy to halt what he described as Israeli military escalation that has led to the worst flare-up of violence in years.

Sunday, May 16, 06:00 pm (GMT+3)

UPDATE | UNSC Meeting Kicks Off in New York

The emergency meeting of the UN Security Council kicked off today in New York in a public session, with the participation of a large number of foreign ministers, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Riyad al-Malki, to discuss the current escalations and developments in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Sunday, May 16, 06:00 pm (GMT+3)

UPDATE | Rescuers Teams in Gaza Still Looking for Survivors

Rescuers in Gaza are still hoping to pull survivors in Gaza city after overnight Israeli bombing left dozens dead.

 Sunday, May 16, 04:00 pm (GMT+3)

UPDATE | The Palestinian Health Ministry announced on Sunday afternoon that a total of 202 Palestinians have been killed and 5,588 others injured by the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and in the crackdown on West Bank protests.

Sunday, May 16, 03:00 pm (GMT+3)

UPDATE| Amnesty International: ‘Israel is Committing War Crimes’

Saleh Hijazi, deputy regional director at Amnesty International Middle East and North Africa, told Al Jazeera that Israel was trying to hide what it was doing in Gaza and to the people of Gaza, adding that Amnesty International was prevented from entering the enclave since 2012.

“We now have an International Criminal Court investigation open on the situation in the Palestinian Territories, since 2014. We call on the ICC to look into this incident” he said, referring to the bombing of international media offices by Israeli forces.

“Even if there is a legitimate military target there, it is disproportionate to attack a building in such a manner,” Hijazi also said.

“Such a disproportionate attack amounts to war crime. In addition, this follows a pattern of collective punishment against the Palestinian people in Gaza.”

Sunday, May 16, 03:00 pm (GMT+3)

UPDATES | Saudi Arabia Condemns Israel’s ‘Flagrant Violations’ of Palestinian Rights

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud condemned Israel’s “flagrant violations” of Palestinian rights and called on the international community to act urgently to put an end to military operations.

– German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called for an end of violence, urging Israel and the Palestinians to resume negotiations.

– Pope Francis calls for the end of violence. “I appeal for calm, and for those responsible to end the clamor of weapons and to take the path of peace,” he said in a weekly address to faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square.

Sunday, May 16, 03:00 pm (GMT+3)

UPDATE | OAC: ‘Apartheid State are not Democracies’

US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slammed the administration of President Joe Biden for not standing up to Israel, which she called an “apartheid state”.

“Apartheid states aren’t democracies,” she wrote in a tweet.

Sunday, May 16, 12:00 pm (GMT+3)

UPDATE | EU to Discuss Ways to End Escalation in Gaza

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said today that the foreign ministers of the EU will be holding a virtual conference on Tuesday to discuss how to best contribute to ending the current Israeli escalation in Gaza.

“In view of the ongoing escalation between Israel and Palestine and the unacceptable number of civilian casualties, I am convening an extraordinary VTC of the EU Foreign Ministers on Tuesday,” Borrel tweeted. “We will coordinate and discuss how the EU can best contribute to end the current violence.”

Sunday, May 16, 11:00 am (GMT+3)

UPDATE | China Calls for UN Council Action, Blames US

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on the UN Security Council to work at de-escalation of violence between Israel and Palestinians. He also blamed the US for the council’s lack of action so far.

“Regrettably, the council has so far failed to reach an agreement, with the United States standing on the opposite side of international justice,” the state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Wang as saying.

Sunday, May 16, 09:00 am (GMT+3)

UPDATE | Netanyahu: Attacks Will Continue

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli attacks on Gaza will continue.

“Israel’s operations on Gaza will continue as long as needed to reach its aims,” he said at a news conference where he thanked US President Joe Biden for his support.

Sunday, May 16, 6:57 am (GMT+3)

BREAKING | More Gaza Deaths Reported

– Five more Palestinians killed overnight in various parts of Gaza. Toll is expected to grow as many remain trapped under the rubble of their homes. 42 Reported wounded. The areas hit include Wihda street, the Gaza Vally, Buraij and Nuseirat refugee camps, among others.

– Israeli navy boats continue to fire at the Gaza coast.

UPDATE | Ireland Condemns Israeli Atrocities

Anadolu: Ireland’s foreign minister on Saturday condemned Israeli attacks having killed dozens of children over the last five days alone.

“32 children killed since Monday in Gaza by Israeli fire – that’s approx 1/4 of all fatalities – It’s not acceptable!,” wrote Simon Coveney on Twitter, linking to a news report by Ireland’s RTE called Family of 10 killed in Gaza attack, US envoys arrives for talks. (Anadolu)

Sunday, May 16, 2:13 am (GMT+3)

UPDATE | West Bank under Israeli Fire

Palestinian Red Crescent Society: 580 Palestinians wounded by Israeli fire and teargas throughout the occupied West Bank on Saturday.

Sunday, May 16, 2:00 am (GMT+3)

BREAKING | Wihda (Unity) Street Under Attack 

– Israeli warplanes bomb homes in Wihda Street in #Gaza city. Two dead and many injured.

– Intense Israeli bombing also reported in the eastern parts of Gaza city, targeting major intersections in the city, thus preventing ambulances from reaching the wounded.

Sunday, May 16, 12:50 am (GMT+3)

BREAKING | Gaza Retaliates with 42 Rockets

– 42 Palestinian rockets hit Tel Aviv and other Israeli areas after the end of a two-hour lull announced earlier by the Palestinian resistance in Gaza.

– Netanyahu: Difficult days ahead.

For the developments from previous days, click here.

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