Palestine to lodge ICC complaint
The Palestine Liberation Organization says it holds Israel’s government ‘fully responsible’ for the death of Dawabsheh and will lodge a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC). Abbas says he has ordered his foreign minister to file a complaint at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
We want true justice, but I doubt that Israel will provide that.
Netanyahu condemns attack
Netanyahu condemns the killing of Dawabsheh. He reportedly made a rare telephone call to Abbas pledging a thorough investigation and says he has ordered security forces to use all means at their disposal to bring the perpetrators to justice. Netanyahu:
The State of Israel takes a strong line against terrorism regardless of who the perpetrators are. The Government of Israel is united in its strong opposition to such deplorable and awful acts.
Angel of Peace medal
The Pope presents presents Abbas with a medallion with the angel of peace on it, and praises his efforts at establishing a Palestinian State peacefully.
This gift is appropriate since you are an angel of peace destroying the bad spirit of war.
Accuses Hamas
Abbas blames Hamas for protracting the war in Gaza, doubting the continuation of the Unity government. After 50 days of fighting when a truce came about, Hamas still declares victory. Abbas:
It was possible for us to avoid all of that, 2,000 martyrs, 10,000 injured, 50,000 houses (destroyed). They (Hamas) have a shadow government, if this continues it means no unity. The test is coming soon. The government needs to do its job and handle everything. I’m not saying everything needs to come to an end in one moment, this is a seven-year split that needs months or years.
Israeli government:
The Egyptian formula was on the table on July 15th, it was backed by the Arab League, it was accepted by Israel but rejected by Hamas then and now more than a month later has belatedly been accepted by Hamas. As the dust clears from the conflict I’m sure many people in Gaza will be asking why did Hamas reject a month ago what it accepted today, and if it had accepted then what it accepted now, how much bloodshed could have been avoided.
Fresh talks urged
Abbas calls on Hamas and Israel to attend fresh talks in Egypt. The previous brokered truce collapsed on Tuesday. Over 2,090 Palestinians and 67 Israelis have been killed in recent weeks. Israel says that over 525 rockets have been fired into Israel from Gaza since the latest ceasefire ended, with 69 of them being intercepted by its Iron Dome anti-missile defence system. 60 air strikes have been carried out over Gaza on Saturday said the Israeli Defence Force and more than 70 rockets and mortar rounds that were fired from Gaza struck Israel.
Meets Abbas in Bethlehem
Francis meets with Abbas, and holds and open air Mass for 8,000 local Christians near Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity. The Pope arrives in Bethlehem by helicopter from Jordan. Israel permits over 600 Christians from the Gaza Strip to travel to Bethlehem, while Palestinian authorities deploy 3,000 security forces in the city to supervise the visit. Abbas:
For the good of all, there is a need to intensify efforts and initiatives aimed at creating the conditions for a stable peace based on justice, on the recognition of the rights of every individual, and on mutual security.