ISLAMABAD, OCT 31: /DNA/ – Ambassador of France, Nicolas Galey, called on the Caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, & Economic Affairs Dr. Shamshad Akhtar.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss economic relations between Pakistan and France and collaborative efforts in various sectors.=DNA
DNA
ISLAMABAD, OCT 31: Displaying a profound scholarly aptitude and latent creative writing prowess, Zainab Nawaz, a ninth-grade student, has earned a Silver Award in the Junior writing category of the international essay writing competition “The Queen’s International Commonwealth Essay Writing Competition 2023”.
This year, The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, the world’s oldest international writing competition, received 34924 entries from 56 Commonwealth countries.
Zainab Nawaz, an avid reader and writer, competed against thousands of entries and earned a Silver Award for showing her creative brilliance representing Pakistan in this prestigious international competition.
Pune, OCT 30: Afghanistan carried on to their fantastic form and defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in a comfortable run chase in the 30th match of the ICC World Cup 2023 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune, India, on Monday.
Hashmatullah Shahidi’s men recorded back-to-back wins for the first time in the history of the tournament, as before this year’s mega event, they had only one victory in two World Cups — 2015 and 2019.
Just like their last victory against Pakistan where they chased down 282 with eight wickets to spare, the Afghans played with remarkable temperament and didn’t play rash and sloppy shots.
Even though they met with an early blow as in-form batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz was removed by Dilshan Madushanka in the first over, Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim Zardan provided the much-needed stability to their batting.
Rahmat Shah was the key to Afghanistan’s run chase as the right-handed batter played an important knock of 62 runs off 74 balls with seven fours.
After Shah was removed by Kasun Rajitha, skipper Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzi built a match-winning partnership of 111 runs and cruised their side to an important win.
Shahidi scored 58 runs while Omarzai contributed 72 runs as they helped their side chase down the 242-run target in 45.2 overs.
Batting first, Sri Lankan batters were troubled by Afghanistan’s bowlers as none of the single batters, other than Pathum Nissanka who scored 46 runs, could manage to score big.
Afghanistani bowlers kept on taking wickets at regular intervals and were soon all out for 241 runs.
Kusal Mendis (39), and Sadeera Samarawickrama (36) were the top second and third top scorers for the Islanders.
Fazalhaq Farooqi was the pick of the bowlers for the Afghan as the left-handed pacer caused all kinds of troubles for Kusal Mendis’ men and took four wickets for 34 runs in 10 overs.
Afghanistan will now take on the Netherlands on November 3 in Lucknow, which will be an important match for Shahidi’s men as they will look to remain alive in the race to the semi-final.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will play the unbeaten India side on November 2 in Mumbai.
LAHORE, Oct 30 /DNA/ – Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar held a meeting with Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab Mohsin Naqvi today in Lahore.
The discussions covered important matters of governance and coordination during the caretaker period. DNA
DNA
ISLAMABAD, OCT 30: Ambassador of Turkiye Mehmet Pacaci has said we are proud to have reached 100th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Republic of Türkiye.
‘I commemorate Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic, and express our gratitude our holy martyrs and our veterans who fought for the same blessed cause and entrusted our beautiful homeland to us at the cost of their lives’.
The Ambassador expressed these views while speaking on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic. Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti was the chief guest while Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori also attended the event.
The Turkiye ambassador further said, The Republic of Türkiye signifies the reborn of a noble nation from its ashes that prefer to die instead of making compromises from its liberty, independence and honor. We are proud of being a member of such a heroic nation who has the “character of independence”.
He said Turkish War of Independence was not only the success of the Turkish nation but also well documented part of our shared history with Pakistan.
The sacrifices and selfless support by the South Asian Muslims during the Khilafat Movement, and their political and financial contributions to the Turkish sacred cause have and will never be forgotten, he added.
Turkish Independence War has also become a profound inspiration for sub-continent Muslims in their struggle for freedom.
Founding father of Pakistan, Quaid-e Azam Muhammad Ali Cinnah expressed his appreciation for the Turkish struggle and its exceptional leader, Atatürk, as builder of Modern Türkiye and an example to the rest of the world, especially to the Muslim states in the Far East.
a video message by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on our National Day and Centenary of the Republic was also screened on the occasion.
KASHI, OCT 30 /DNA/ – China (Kashi) – Central Asia & South Asia Legal Forum, a prominent gathering of legal and administrative experts, kicked off today in Kashi, China. The event, organized to foster legal cooperation and dialogue, brought together distinguished leaders and speakers from the region.
The forum’s esteemed moderators included Anniwaer Tuerxun, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee of Kashi and Administrative Commissioner of Kashi Prefecture. Anniwaer Tuerxun will guide discussions and deliberations on key legal and administrative topics.
Aierken Tuniyazi, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Chairman of the Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, took the stage as a speaker. His insights and experiences are expected to contribute significantly to the forum’s discussions.
Li Yifei, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Secretary of the CPC Committee of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, also moderated discussions, further enriching the discourse with her expertise.
The China (Kashi) – Central Asia & South Asia Legal Forum serves as an essential platform for regional leaders to exchange ideas and strategies in the legal and administrative domains. This year’s event promises to facilitate meaningful conversations and cooperation for the benefit of all involved regions.
Speakers:
(1) Wang Chen, President of China Law Society
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(2) Ma Xingrui, Member of the Political Bureau of the
Central Committee of CPC. Secretary of the CPC Committee of
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
(3) Bishowambhar Pd.Shrestha, Chief Justice of Nepal
(4) Sanjaykumar Rajaretam. Attorney General of Sri Lanka
(5) Sharipov Nurseryk Karimovich, Chairman of the Civil
Trial Commission of the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan
(6) Yang Wanming, Member of the CPC Group and Vice
President of the Supreme People’s Court
(7) Ge Xiaoyan, Member of the CPC Group and Deputy
Procurator General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate
(8) Yuan Gujie, Member of the Standing Committee of the
CPC Committee of Guangdong Province, Secretary of the
Politics and Law Committee of Guangdong Province, President
of the Guangdong Province Law Society
(9) Anniwaer Tuerxun, Deputy Secretary of the CPC
Committee of Kashi, Administrative Commissioner of Kashi
Prefecture
11:30-12;00 Signing cooperation contracts; reading the
Forum Proposal
1. Signing Ceremony
Item 1: Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Education
between Xinjiang University and Caspian University
Representatives of the institutions:
Yao Qiang, President of Xinjiang University;
Nuseynov Zhikhordasbek Muslimovich, President of Caspian
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University, Kazakhstan
Item 2: Cooperation Agreement on Diversified Settlement of
International Commercial Disputes
Representatives of the institutions:
Liu Xiaochun, President of the Shenzhen Court of
International Arbitration (SCIA):
Dhara Wijayatilake, Director and Secretary General of the
CCC ICLP International ADR Center (Guarantee) Limited
(IADRC)
Item 3: Strategic Cooperation Agreement on International
Commercial Arbitration
Representatives of the institutions:
Liu Xiaochun., President of the Shenzhen Court of
International Arbitration (SCIA):
Diana Bezakova, Director of Tashkent International
Arbitration Center (TIAC)
Item 4: Tripartite Cooperation Agreement on the Pluralistic
Settlement of Disputes and Ascertainment of Foreign Law
Representatives of the institutions:
Nudrat Ejaz Piracha,CEO of Pakistan International
Alternative Dispute Resolution and Prevention Center
Lin Qidi, Secretary-General of Law Ascertainment Center for
Belt and Road Initiative;
Wang Li, Director of Beijing Retio Legal and Commercial
Service Center for Belt and Road Initiative;
Item 5: Tripartite Cooperation Agreement on the Pluralistic
Settlement of Disputes and Ascertainment of Foreign Law
Representatives of the institutions:
Lin Qidi, Secretary-General of Law Ascertainment Center for
Belt and Road Initiative;
Wang Li, Director of Beijing Retio Legal and Commercial
Service Center for Belt and Road Initiative;
Representative of Kashgar Municipal Bureau of Justice,
Representative of Kashgar Municipal Commerce and
Industrial Information Technology Bureau,
Representative of Kashgar People’s Court
Item 6: Frame Agreement of Legal Service Cooperation on
Economic Trade & Investment
Representatives of the institutions:
Shan Tao, Director of the Administrative Committee of
ETR-Law-Firm;
Saniya Perzadayeva, Representative of Kazakhstan Unicase
Law Firm
2.Reading the “Proposal on Deepening Cooperation in the
Rule of Law along BRI”
Wang Mingshan: Member of the Standing Committee of the
Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal
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Committee of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region; President of
the Law Association of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
12:00-12:15 Tea Break
12:15-13:15 Keynote Address
Moderator: Xu Xianyi.Vice Chairman of the CPPCC of
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Speakers:
(1) Elsie Leung Oi Sie, Former Deputy Director of the
Committee for the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region of the Standing Committee of the
National People’s Congress, and the First Secretary for Justice
of the Department of Justice of Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region
(2) Khalid Rehman: Director of the Pakistan Policy Institute
(3) Liu Xiaohong: Headmaster of Shanghai University of
Political Science and Law, Director of Shanghai Arbitration
Commission, Vice President of the China Society of Private
International Law
(4)Kabir Churazoda: Dean of the Central Asian Regional
Economic Cooperation Institute (CAREC Institute) of Tajikistan
13:30-14:30 Luncheon
15: 30 Plenary session
15:30-17:00 Theme 1: Optimizing the business
environment and promote the joint construction of the “the
Belt and Road”
Moderator: Shi Youqi. Vice President of Guangdong
Province Law Society, Secretary of the Party Committee of
Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
Speakers:
(1) Nussenov Zholdasbek Muslimovich, President of Caspian
University, Kazakhstan
(2) Zhang Liang, Dean and Professor of the School of Law at
Sun Yat-sen University, Executive Vice President of the
International Law Research Association of the Guangdong
Province Law Society
(3) Christopher Campbell-hollt, Registrar and Chief
Executive of the Astana International Financial Center(AIFC)
Court and International Arbitration Center(IAC), Kazakhstan
(4) Zheng Gang, Executive Director of Shenzhen Dongfang
Ruiyan Risk Management Consulting Co., Ltd., Expert
Advisory Committee Member and Senior Researcher of CITIC
Reform and Development Research Foundation, PRC
(5) Zamir ahmed Awan, Deputy Director of China Research
Center of National University of Science and Technology of
Pakistan, Founding Chairman of Global Silk Road Research
Alliance. A Pakistani Thinktank
(6) Zhang Jianjiang, Dean of the Law School of Xinjiang
University, Member of the Academic Committee of the Law
Society of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
(7) Atul Dalakoti, Executive Director of the Indian Federation
of Commerce and Industry, Founder of Xiamen BRICS
Economic and Cultural Research Service Center
(8) Abudureheman Kadeer, Lecturer of the Law School of
Xinjiang University of Finance and Economics, Member of the
International affair and “Belt and Road” specialized Committee
of Xinjiang Lawyers Association
Interlocutors:
(1)Wang Han, Professor of the Law Institute for Silk Road
Regional Cooperation and Development, the Center for
Foreign-related Rule of Law, Northwest University of Political
Science and Law
(2) Qi Huan, Professor of School of International Law of
China University of Political Science and Law, Dean Assistant
of Xinjiang University of Political Science and Law
17: 00-17:10 Tea Break
17:10-18:40 Theme 2: Researches on the legal service and
the cooperation mechanism for rule of law along the “Belt
and Road”
Moderator: Chen Tong, Vice President of Xinjiang Normal
University, Deputy Director of the Academic Committee of the
Law Society of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Speakers:
(1) Wang Li, Chief Law Adviser of China Law Counsel
Center, Director of International Commercial Mediation Center
for the Belt and Road, Party Secretary and Director of Beijing
Deheng Law Offices
(2) Bilim Raiymkulov, President of Kyrgyzstan Bar
Association
(3) Liu Xiaochun, President of Shenzhen Court of
International Arbitration (SCIA),PRC
(4) Diana Bezakova, Director of Tashkent International
Arbitration Center (TTAC), Uzbekistan
(5) Jiang Siyuan, Secretary-General of the Exchange and
Cooperation Base of the Legal Service Committee for Shanghai
Cooperation Organization
(6) Priyantha Gamage, member of Sri Lanka Legal Aid
Committee
(7) Shan Tao, Director of International Trade Law
Professional Committee of Guangdong Lawyers Association,
Director of the Administrative Committee of ETR-Law-Firm
(8) Luo Lihua, President Assistant, Professor of Kashi
University
Interlocutors:
(1) Chen Yunliang, Dean and Professor of Law School of
Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. Editor-in-Chief of
Society under the Rule of Law
(2) Du Tao, Dean and Professor of School of International
Law, East China University of Political Science and Law,
Executive Vice President of Institute of BRICS Legal Studies,
Executive Vice Director of Foreign Law Acertainment Research
Center of Institute of BRICS Legal Studies
18:40-18:50 Tea break
18:50—19:20 Closing Ceremony
Moderator: Li Shuihua Executive Deputy Secretary of
Politics and Law Committee of Guangdong Province Party
Secretary and Executive Vice President of Guangdong Province
Law Society
Speakers:
(1) Yin Baohu, Deputy Secretary-General, Office Director of
China Law Society
(2) Ananda Mohan Batarai, Justice of the Supreme Court of
Nepal
(3) Nursultan Betilesov, First Deputy Director of the General
Office of the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan
(4) Bi deguo, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Political,
Legal Committee of the CPC Xommittee of Xinjiang Uygur
Autonomous Region, Party Secretary, Vice President of the Law
Society of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
-G-
19:30—20:30 Dinner
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Morning: Field visit (Kashgar Old Town, Kashgar Museum,
Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration Kashgar Branch)
Afternoon: Departure
ISLAMABAD, OCT 30 (DNA) — Islamabad Capital Police apprehended 11 outlaws including from different areas of the city during the last 24 hours and recovered liquor, drugs and weapons with ammunition from their possession, a public relations officer said.
He said that, following the special directions of Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, the Islamabad Capital Police has intensified crackdown against the criminal elements in order to eliminate the crime from the city.
Following these directions, the Karachi Company police team arrested three drug peddlers namely Noman Hassan, Shahbaz Masih and Haider Abbas and recovered 220 gram heroin and 14 bottle of wine from their possession. Kohsar police team arrested two accused namely Zafar Masih and Usman Iqbal and recovered 90 liter of alcohol from their possession, while police team arrested an accused namely Salamat Masih involved in illegally refilling gas cylinders.
Likewise, the Shalimar police team arrested an accused namely Muzamil Khan and recovered one 30 bore pistol from his possession. Golra police team arrested two accused namely Akhlaq Hussain and Islam Badshah involved in illegally refilling gas cylinders and selling petrol.
Similarly, the Industrial Area police team arrested an accused namely Sajjad and recovered 235 gram heroin from his possession. The Lohi Bher police team arrested an accused Hassnain Raza and recovered one 30 bore pistol from his possession.
Cases have been registered against the nabbed accused and further investigation is underway. ICCPO Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan directed the police officials to further intensify the crackdown against the criminal elements. “Safety and security of the citizens is our foremost priority and no laxity will be tolerated in this regard”, he maintained. — DNA
ISLAMABAD, OCT 30 (DNA) — The masses in the country have been grappling with economic hardships for the last one year or so. Amid the trying times, the news about further cut in the prices of petroleum products offers some relief.
Reports do the rounds that petroleum prices may be slashed by up to Rs18 a litre due to exchange rate gains. This will be the third time in a row the caretaker government will slash the POL prices. A fortnight ago, the government slashed the prices of petroleum products by Rs40.
After a significant drop from the rate of Rs323.38 per litre, the new price of petrol was Rs283.38 per litre. Similarly, high-speed diesel (HSD) price was reduced to Rs15 per litre for two weeks. The new price was Rs291.18 per litre.
Previously, on Oct 1, the petrol price in Pakistan had been lowered by Rs8 per litre following a two-month increase, settling at Rs323.38 per litre. During the same period, the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) had decreased by Rs11 per litre to Rs318.18, while kerosene oil prices had seen a reduction of Rs7.53 per litre, bringing it to Rs237.28.
Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi said the transport operators were bound to reduce fares and freight charges as the government had significantly decreased prices of petroleum products.
The minister urged the provincial and district administrations to play their role to pass on relief to the masses. In a post on X, Solangi said the government had reduced petrol and diesel prices by Rs40 and Rs15, respectively.
“Whenever prices of these products rise, the transport sector increases freight charges and transportation fares. Now, they (transporters) are bound to provide relief to the masses by reducing them,” the minister said in his post. Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar also promised relief to the masses after drastic cut in petrol rates. — DNA
DNA
KARACHI: The German Ambassador, Alfred Granas, addressing a meeting with the Karachi Council of Foreign Relations (KCFR) said that Germany has been maintaining diplomatic and investment relations with Pakistan for 70 years and that Germany considers this region a very important region.
He added that Germany has given 150 million dollars in aid to Pakistan and that Germany’s balance of trade with Pakistan is favorable to both countries. Germany has been collaborating in the electronics, medical, and environmental fields.
There is no official position of the German government on CPEC but it’s a good economic project for Pakistan. Unlike Pakistan which that operates coal and nuclear plants, Germany is now closing down nuclear and shifting to renewable energy.
Replying to a question he said supplying ply weapons to Ukraine is not against the German constitution. Germany is in NATO and that’s its stance on Israel coincides NATO’s NATO stance. He said that there is no consensus on European Defense as proposed by the French president because Germany will have to forego its welfare support program and spend more money on defense expenditure.
The Ambassador warded off the question that European leaders don’t think for themselves and do what America tells them to do. The Ambassador also said that due to political uncertainty and unfavorable business environments, ment Siemens Coy and Deutsche Bank have left Pakistan; However, Pakistan a has lot of potential for future growth.
Germany’s point of view on Israel’s statement that the United Nations is ending, the Ambassador replied that the end of the United Nations can only occur when all of its members decide to leave it, which is something he did not see. The Ambassador was further asked about CPEC the Ambassador said that nobody could blame Pakistan for accepting the investment; however, the benefits and costs of the strings attached to it are for Pakistan to decide.
In replying to another question as to how did Manage the energy crisis when gas was cut off from Russia the Nord 1 pipeline was blown up or dammed. GED? He replied that a lot of efforts from their Ministry of Energy had been made by arranging LNG and alternate energy from neighboring countries. Also energy sourcing became more expensive than Russian gas and therefore it had affected their exports too. A question pointed out two important German Organizations that were assisting Pakistan in development projects both in the social sector and also in infrastructure development.
The Ambassador responded that both GIZ and KFW were still active and very much had their presence in Pakistan. Even though the quantum of contribution may have reduced, as compared to some years ago. Both would be willing to look at viable projects if approached by the Pakistani authorities. In comparison, GIZ is currently more active with some ongoing projects as GIZ promotes training, employment, and sustainable economic growth in Pakistan. Together with the state-run vocational training institutes, GIZ improves the quality of training and tailors programs to the needs of the labor market. The Chairperson of KCFR, Mrs. Nadira Panjwani, underscoring the robust collaboration between Germany and Pakistan welcomed the Ambassador and spoke about the historically friendly and stable relations between Pakistan and Germany highlighting Germany’s role in the industrialization of Pakistan and the support of various German aid and development bodies in the socio economic growth of Pakistan. She paid warm tributes to iconic German personalities like Dr Annemarie Schimmel and Dr Ruth Pfau who have rendered valuable services to Pakistan.
GAZA, OCT 30: Palestinians in northern Gaza reported fierce air and artillery strikes early on Monday as Israeli troops backed by tanks pressed into the enclave with a ground assault that prompted more international calls for civilians to be protected.
Medical authorities in the Gaza Strip, which has a population of 2.3 million people, said 8,005 people – including 3,324 minors – had been killed. The Gaza government’s media office said 116 medics and 35 journalists have been killed since the conflict erupted.
Israeli air strikes hit areas near Gaza City’s Shifa and Al-Quds hospitals, and Palestinian fighters clashed with Israeli forces in a border area east of the city of Khan Younis, in the enclave’s south, Palestinian media said.
There was no comment from Hamas or the Israeli military on Monday’s fighting.
The bombardments came hours after Israel released images of battle tanks on the west coast of the Palestinian enclave, signalling a potential effort to surround Gaza’s main city two days after the Israeli government ordered expanded ground incursions across its eastern border.
Some pictures posted online also appeared to show Israeli soldiers waving an Israeli flag deep inside Gaza. Reuters could not verify the images.
Israel’s self-declared “second phase” of a three-week war against Hamas fighters has been largely kept from public view, with forces moving under darkness and a telecommunications blackout cutting off Palestinians.
The phone and internet cuts appeared to ease on Sunday, but telecoms provider Paltel said Israeli air strikes had again knocked out internet and phone service in parts of the enclave’s northern sections.
The outages have severely hampered rescue operations for casualties of brutal Israeli barrages.
The reported strikes near hospitals came after the Palestinian Red Crescent said on Sunday it had received warnings from Israeli authorities to immediately evacuate al-Quds hospital, where some 14,000 people have sought shelter.
Israel has accused Hamas of locating command centres and other military infrastructure in Gaza hospitals, which the group denies.
Palestinian officials said about 50,000 people had also taken shelter in Shifa Hospital, adding that they were concerned about Israeli threats to the facility.
Israel has tightened its blockade and bombarded the besieged enclave relentlessly. It has also stepped up operations against groups in the West Bank, killing scores of Palestinians and arresting hundreds.
Two Palestinians were killed and nine injured on Monday during an Israeli raid on the West Bank city of Jenin and its refugee camp, Palestinian official news agency WAFA said.
Calls for pause
The stepped-up attacks by Israel coincided with a mounting international outcry for a “humanitarian pause” to allow aid in.
Qatar-mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas continued on Sunday, a source briefed on the talks told Reuters, and included discussions about the possible release of hostages.
Hamas wants a five-day humanitarian pause in Israel’s operations to allow aid and fuel into the besieged Gaza Strip in return for the release of all civilian hostages held by the fighters, said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.
More than half the hostages held by Hamas have foreign passports from 25 countries, including 54 Thai nationals, according to the Israeli government.
On Monday, the United Nations Security Council is due to be briefed on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The 15-member body has unsuccessfully voted four times in the past two weeks on draft resolutions that aimed to take action on the war, but the 193-member UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Friday to call for an immediate humanitarian truce.
US President Joe Biden pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a call on Sunday to protect civilians in Gaza and “immediately and significantly increase the flow of humanitarian aid” to the besieged coastal enclave, the White House said.
Biden and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi committed to the significant acceleration of assistance flowing into Gaza beginning Sunday, the White House said separately.
Colonel Elad Goren of COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry agency that co-ordinates with the Palestinians, said Israel will allow a dramatic increase in aid to Gaza in coming days and Palestinian civilians should head to a “humanitarian zone” in the south of the tiny territory.
Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas, a task it described as necessitating protracted ground assaults in, around and under Gaza City, where the fighters have an extensive subterranean bunker network.
There are fears too of regional overspill of the Gaza war, such as in Lebanon, where the Israeli army and Hezbollah group have been exchanging fire.
On Monday, Syrian state TV said Israeli air strikes targeted two army posts in Daraa, leading to “some material losses”.
The conflict has spurred large demonstrations worldwide in support of the Palestinians. On Sunday several thousand people rallied in Beirut to show solidarity with Gaza.
Hundreds of anti-Israel protesters stormed Russia’s Dagestan airport in Makhachkala on Sunday after a plane from Israel arrived, forcing security forces to close the airport and divert flights while removing the demonstrators.
The incident prompted Israel to urge Moscow to protect Israelis and Jews in Russia.
