UN calls for immediate Gaza truce

UNITED NATIONS: The UN security council has called for “an immediate and unconditional humanitarian ceasefire” in the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas. 

The council adopted the presidential statement at an emergency meeting just after midnight on Monday as Muslims started celebrating the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramzan. 

The call for a ceasefire follows new attacks launched by Israel and Hamas despite going back and forth over proposals for another temporary halt to nearly three weeks of fighting. 

The statement agreed to by all 15 council members urges Israel and Hamas “to accept and fully implement the humanitarian ceasefire into the Eid period and beyond.”