The United Nations says the Palestinian militant group Hamas has seized
blankets and food meant for hundreds of civilian families in the Gaza
Strip.
The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA,
Wednesday said Hamas police raided a warehouse in Gaza City on Tuesday
and took 3,500 blankets and more than 400 food parcels.
Hamas Welfare Minister Ahmed Kurd accused the U.N. of giving aid to local groups with a political agenda.
The
U.N. has appealed to the international community for about $613 million
in aid for Gazans following Israel's three-week military campaign
against Hamas.
More than 1,300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis died in the violence.
Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas told lawmakers at the European Parliament Wednesday
that Israel should be held accountable for its actions in the war.
The
International Criminal Court says it is exploring whether it can
legally investigate allegations that Israel committed war crimes in the
Gaza offensive.
The Palestinian Authority recently recognized
the jurisdiction of the court. But, it is unclear whether Palestinians
can request an ICC investigation because, officially, only states can
recognize the court.
A Hamas delegation met Egyptian mediators
in Cairo Tuesday, and said the militant group was ready to commit to a
truce with Israel for at least a year, in exchange for the full opening
of Gaza's borders.
Israel and Hamas stopped major combat two
weeks ago, but sporadic attacks continue. Hamas is urging all
Palestinian factions to "respect the national consensus" on the
cease-fire.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
