![More than 1,335 housing units have been completely or severely demolished in the Gaza Strip [Said Khatib/AFP]](https://ras.mv/storage/qTyBvUyn8600twI5LAeH7THHQ2gubPERAns6VEr4.png)
Requested by Pakistan, the coordinator of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Palestinian authorities, the UN Human Rights Council said Thursday it would hold a special session on the deadly violence between Israel and armed Palestinian groups in Gaza.
The session, planned for next Thursday, May 27, will address “the grave human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,” the council said in a statement. The announcement came as Israeli airstrikes continued to hammer Gaza on Thursday and as diplomats stepped up efforts toward a cease-fire to stem the devastating violence that erupted 10 days ago.
In addition, diplomatic efforts have gathered pace this Thursday for a ceasefire of the deadly violence between Israel and armed Palestinian groups in Gaza as air strikes again hammered the enclave. Talks continued to end the bloodshed after US President Joe Biden urged a "significant de-escalation" while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to push on until the military campaign reaches its objective, "to restore quiet and security" for Israelis.
Following which, a senior Hamas official told AFP: "We expect a return to calm in the coming hours, or tomorrow (Friday), but it depends on the cessation of the aggression of the occupation forces in Gaza and Jerusalem.”
"But there is nothing definitive for the moment," added the source, indicating that Qatar, an emirate financing aid to Gaza and where Haniyeh lives, was at the heart of "intense" negotiations.
Meanwhile, Israeli fighter jets continued to pound the Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing and wounding several more Palestinians as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defied calls for a de-escalation.
Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed 230 Palestinians, including 65 children, according to the Gaza health ministry, leaving vast areas in rubble and displacing tens of thousands in the crowded territory.
The session, planned for next Thursday, May 27, will address “the grave human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,” the council said in a statement. The announcement came as Israeli airstrikes continued to hammer Gaza on Thursday and as diplomats stepped up efforts toward a cease-fire to stem the devastating violence that erupted 10 days ago.
In addition, diplomatic efforts have gathered pace this Thursday for a ceasefire of the deadly violence between Israel and armed Palestinian groups in Gaza as air strikes again hammered the enclave. Talks continued to end the bloodshed after US President Joe Biden urged a "significant de-escalation" while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to push on until the military campaign reaches its objective, "to restore quiet and security" for Israelis.
Following which, a senior Hamas official told AFP: "We expect a return to calm in the coming hours, or tomorrow (Friday), but it depends on the cessation of the aggression of the occupation forces in Gaza and Jerusalem.”
"But there is nothing definitive for the moment," added the source, indicating that Qatar, an emirate financing aid to Gaza and where Haniyeh lives, was at the heart of "intense" negotiations.
Meanwhile, Israeli fighter jets continued to pound the Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing and wounding several more Palestinians as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defied calls for a de-escalation.
Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed 230 Palestinians, including 65 children, according to the Gaza health ministry, leaving vast areas in rubble and displacing tens of thousands in the crowded territory.
