Gaza: Hamas’s military wing claims to have launched attacks on Israeli tanks that were advancing in northwest Gaza, along with eliminating an “Israeli force” inside a building. Meanwhile, in Gaza City, near al-Quds Hospital, Israeli attacks have led to “fear and panic” among displaced civilians and health workers. The recent destruction of the residence of senior Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in the occupied West Bank has added to the already tense situation. Israel appears to be exerting pressure on Hamas leadership wherever possible, contributing to the overall instability.
Local residents in Gaza are living in constant fear as they anticipate potential Israeli military actions during the night. The situation has reached a boiling point, with many expressing their apprehension about Israeli soldiers showing up at their doors.
UN relief chief Martin Griffiths, who spoke with Gaza families, described the impact of the conflict as “devastating.” He shared on social media, “When an 8-year-old tells you that she doesn’t want to die, it’s hard not to feel helpless.” Griffiths emphasized the desperate search for basic necessities like food, water, and shelter as a result of the ongoing airstrikes.
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees emphasized the critical need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, stating that it is a matter of life and death for millions in Gaza.
In other developments, the Israeli army reported downing a drone over the Red Sea city of Eilat, with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels taking responsibility for launching the drone. Additionally, in Iraq, two armed drones targeted the Ain al-Asad airbase hosting US and international forces.
The Israeli military claimed responsibility for killing another Hamas commander, accusing him of involvement in attacks that occurred on October 7. In a tragic incident, a 14-year-old Palestinian boy succumbed to his injuries after being shot by Israeli forces in the village of Zawata near Nablus.
The Israel-Hamas conflict is having ripple effects, spilling into Syria due to regional instability, violence, and the absence of a political resolution in the ongoing 12-year conflict, according to the UN special envoy for Syria.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates strongly condemned the “deliberate targeting” of hospitals, health centers, ambulances, and medical teams operating in the Gaza Strip.