150 Killed and 313 Wounded in Last 24 Hours
Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported that 150 people have been killed and 313 wounded in the last 24 hours as Israeli forces continue their offensive against militants. The northern part of the territory, where entire neighborhoods have been flattened, has been the main target of Israel’s ground offensive. The military claimed to have killed more than 15 Hamas militants in northern Gaza and targeted militant infrastructure in a school. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected two key demands made by Hamas, stating that Israel will not withdraw from Gaza or release jailed militants.
Palestinian Death Toll Reaches 26,900
The latest deaths bring the Palestinian death toll from Israel’s offensive to 26,900, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry. The ministry does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths but states that the majority of those killed were women and children. The war began with an attack by Hamas on October 7, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
Other Developments
The situation in Gaza is unfolding alongside other significant events:
- Iran Threatens Response to U.S. Strikes: Iran has threatened to respond decisively to any U.S. attack on the Islamic Republic, following President Joe Biden’s linking of Tehran to the killing of three U.S. soldiers in Jordan.
- EU Plans Red Sea Naval Mission: The European Union aims to launch a naval mission within three weeks to protect ships from attacks by rebel groups in the Red Sea, particularly the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
- UN Appeals for Funding for Palestinian Refugees: An array of U.N. organizations has appealed to key donor countries to reconsider their plans to halt funding for UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. The agency has faced funding suspensions after allegations that some of its workers were involved in attacks on Israel.
- Turkey Calls for Action on Gaza Crisis: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has urged the international community to take strong action to end the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, calling for the blocking of humanitarian aid and medical supplies by Israel to be condemned.
The situation in Gaza remains tense, with Israeli forces continuing their offensive and Hamas refusing to back down. The international community is grappling with how to address the crisis and provide assistance to the people of Gaza.