Gaza toll passes 300 as UN’s Ban heads to region [Qatar]
GAZA CITY: Fresh Israeli air strikes killed 11 people in Gaza on Saturday, hiking the death toll above 300 as UN chief Ban Ki-moon headed to the region to bolster truce efforts.
The new peace push came as Israel’s campaign against the besieged Palestinian territory entered day 12 in the bloodiest conflict for several years, and the Jewish state stood poised to intensify a ground operation inside the Strip.
US President Barack Obama has supported Israel’s right to defend itself against Gaza rocket fire, but urged it to work harder to avoid innocent deaths in an operation with a high civilian toll, including many women and children.
In the face of Israel’s land, sea and air offensive, Islamist movement Hamas, which is the main power in Gaza, has remained defiant as Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas travelled to Egypt and Turkey for truce talks.
An early morning air strike outside a mosque in the southern city of Khan Yunis killed seven people on Saturday, including a woman, emergency services spokesman Ashraf Al Qudra said. Other raids shortly afterwards killed another four, bringing the total death toll to 307 Palestinians and two Israelis.
Some 2,250 Palestinians and several Israelis have been injured.
The UN said Secretary General Ban Ki-moon would leave for the region Saturday in a bid to end the violence.
Ban would help Israelis and Palestinians “in coordination with regional and international actors, end the violence and find a way forward,” under secretary general for political affairs Jeffrey Feltman told emergency talks at the Security Council.
But the two sides’ UN ambassadors traded blame for the violence, with Israel’s Ron Prosor insisting no other country would “tolerate… terrorist” rocket fire at its citizens.
Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour read aloud the names of Palestinian dead, including women and children to the Security Council, and at one point appeared close to tears.
Vice President Biden welcomed Qatari Minister of State for Defense Affairs Hamad Bin Ali Al-Attiyah at the White House today. The Vice President and Minister of State discussed regional issues, including Syria, Iraq, Libya, and the Gaza crisis. The Vice President congratulated Qatar on the signing of Letters of Offer and Acceptance for Apache Helicopters and Patriot and Javelin defense systems and reaffirmed the strong strategic relationship between Qatar and the United States.
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HE Hamad Bin Ali Al-Attiyah met with Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John BrennanHE the Minister of State for Defence Affairs Maj. Gen. Hamad bin Ali Al Attiyah met separately with a number of senior officials in the US administration and discussed with them bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them as well as the latest developments in the region.
HE the Minister of State for Defence also met with each of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Brennan, during which they discussed ways of strengthening bilateral relations and protecting the common interests between the two countries and praised the leading role of the State of Qatar in maintaining the security and stability of the region.
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel hosted Qatar’s Minister of State for Defense Affairs His Excellency Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah at the Pentagon today to sign letters of offer and acceptance for Apache helicopters and Patriot and Javelin defense systems valued at $11 billion dollars.
“Today’s signing ceremony underscores the strong partnership between the United States and Qatar in the area of security and defense and will help improve our bilateral cooperation across a range of military operations,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby
Secretary Hagel also used the meeting to express his appreciation for the support that Qatar provides U.S. forces in the country. Today’s visit followed Secretary Hagel’s visit to Doha last fall, where he met with Minister Attiyah to sign and renew the U.S. – Qatar Defense Cooperation Agreement.
“This is a critically important relationship in the region,” said Kirby. “And the secretary is pleased to be able to continue to make it stronger.”
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Minister Chuck Hagel tours low-profile Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar (AP)HE the Minister of State for Defence, who is currently in a visit to the US, met with US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. During the meeting a number of agreements for the purchase of military aircrafts and Apache Patriot missiles were signed.
These agreements are the first phase of the deal which will be followed by several military agreements later. The general situation in the region was also discussed during the meeting.
Hagel stressed the importance of the State of Qatar as a strategic ally of the United States.HE the Minister of State for Defence also met with each of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Brennan, during which they discussed ways of strengthening bilateral relations and protecting the common interests between the two countries and praised the leading role of the State of Qatar in maintaining the security and stability of the region.
In press statements, HE Al Attiyah said that the Apache helicopters are the best fighter jets as well as the Patriot which is known to be one of the best air defense systems, adding that Javelin is currently one of the best system to defend against armored military. Most of the deals which will be signed will be on defense, he said.
Media Availability with Secretary Hagel at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar – Dec. 10, 2013
