Air strikes and rocket fire resume as Gaza negotiations collapse
19 Aug 2014 Hours before a ceasefire was set to expire between Israel and Hamas, negotiations in Cairo have collapsed and rockets and air strikes have resumed. A deal on the status of Gaza or an extension of talks was expected at midnight tonight. However the Israeli delegation in Egypt has been sent back to Tel Aviv.
Israel bars Amnesty and HRW from entering Gaza, hinders investigations – report [Yeah, they’re not welcome in Ferguson, Missouri, either.]
19 Aug 2014 Israel has been preventing Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch workers from entering Gaza to investigate allegations of war crimes and human rights violations, claims a media report backed by group members’ statements. Both human rights organizations have been unsuccessfully trying to get permission from the regional Civil Administration to enter Gaza since July 7, Israeli outlet Haaretz reports…While both HRW and Amnesty International have been actively trying to obtain permission from Israel to enter the Gaza Strip, their requests have been turned down on seemingly bureaucratic grounds.