Palestinian toddler’s father dies after arson attack

Ali’s parents and a four-year-old brother were also injured in the attack.

Divided politically and geographically, Palestinians made strides toward unity Thursday as thousands of enthusiastic soccer fans converged on a stadium in the Gaza Strip for the first football match between a West Bank club and a Gaza Strip team in 15 years. “This must end”, Ban’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

After a spate of rocket fire from Gaza in June, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said Israel sees Hamas “as the responsible party for what happens in Gaza“, and warned that, if necessary, the IDF “will strike with even greater force” to halt the ongoing attacks.

“Hamas must fulfill its responsibilities or face the consequences,” the statement added.

Earlier Friday afternoon, Gaza militants fired three rockets into Israel, marking the latest such attack since another salvo was launched Saturday, less than a week ago.

Last month, Israeli police entered Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites, as they clashed with Palestinians angered by Jews’ access to the compound on an annual day of Jewish mourning.

The settlements are considered illegal under worldwide law, though Israel disputes this. Operation Protective Edge carried out in retaliation to Hamas rocket fire, claimed the lives of some 2,251 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 72 Israeli soldiers, according to the UN.

His wife, Riham Dawabsheh, and the couple’s 4-year-old son Ahmad Dawabsheh remain in critical condition with burns over 80% of their bodies, according to Douglass and other family members.

“Shejaiya club told us they would not play the return leg because Israel refused permits to players Omar al-Arir, Mayssara Bawab and Hashem al-Abed Rabbo”, Ismail Matar told AFP.

“His family has been unable to visit him since 22 March, and they are very anxious about him”. Authorities gave no further details on the Israeli casualties.