Political source: Israel suspends Gaza truce talk

A senior Israeli political source said the government had suspended contacts with Egypt and the United Nations regarding a truce with the Gaza Strip.

Israeli media, including Channel 10, quoted a senior political source, who it did not identify, as saying that Tel Aviv “has no contacts with Egypt and the United Nations on the ceasefire in Gaza”.

The announcement came at the height of the Israeli cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning, chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Yesterday, UN Middle East envoy Nikolay Mladenov said in a tweet that the United Nations “is working closely with Egypt and the concerned parties to ensure that Gaza is pulled from the brink.”

#UN is working closely with #Egypt and all concerned to ensure that #Gaza steps back from the brink. The escalation in the past 24hrs is EXTREMELY dangerous and reckless. Rockets must STOP, restraint must be shown by all! No effort must be spared to reverse the spiral of violence

— Nickolay E. MLADENOV (@nmladenov) November 12, 2018

Since Sunday evening, the Israeli army has continued its attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing 12 Palestinians as well as destroying residential buildings and the headquarters of a satellite channel.