Arabs press for end to Gaza 'bloodshed

Arab leaders meeting on Saturday at a summit in Baghdad urged the international community to press for a Gaza ceasefire, as Israel launched an expanded military offensive in the Palestinian territory.

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In a joint final statement, Arab League members also called for funding to back their Gaza reconstruction plan, after US President Donald Trump reiterated a proposal to take over the strip.

The Arab leaders called “on the international community... to exert pressure to end the bloodshed and ensure that urgent humanitarian aid can enter without obstacles all areas in need in Gaza".

They added that they “firmly” rejected any plans to displace Palestinians.

It came hours after Israel's military launched a new Gaza offensive, saying it was part of “the expansion of the battle in the Gaza Strip” aimed at defeating Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Appearing at the summit as a guest, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez appealed for increased pressure “to halt the massacre in Gaza’.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al Sisi urged his US counterpart Donald Trump to “apply all necessary efforts... for a ceasefire”.