Gaza: Death toll over 7,000 as Israeli strikes intensify

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Five wounded after rocket hits Egyptian border town: local media

Five people were wounded after a rocket hit an Egyptian town on the border with Israel on Thursday, local media reported.

"As part of the current escalation in Gaza, a rocket crashed in Taba, injuring five people and damaging a residential building," reported AlQahera News television.

'Forgive me for my silence': Bella Hadid speaks out on Israel's bombing of Gaza

Dutch-Palestinian model Bella Hadid has broken her silence on Israel's airstrikes on Gaza.

Hadid has in the past been quick and loud in her criticism of Israel's actions and her solidarity with fellow Palestinians, posting frankly and frequently on social media and even attending pro-Palestine protests in the US.

But until Thursday, she had yet to speak publicly on Israel's latest onslaught on Gaza, leaving some of her fans puzzled.

In a lengthy statement posted on Instagram, the 27-year-old said she had been receiving a barrage of threats to her life.

"I've been sent hundreds of death threats daily, my phone number has been leaked, and my family has felt to be in danger," Hadid said.

"But I cannot be silenced any longer. Fear is not an option. The people and children of Palestine, especially in Gaza, cannot afford our silence."

"Seeing the aftermath from the airstrikes in Gaza, I mourn will all the mothers who have lost children and the children who cry alone, all the lost fathers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties, friends that will never again walk this earth," she said.

Hadid's older sister Gigi has been targeted on social media by the Israeli government for posts she has made in solidarity with Palestinians, and also said that she had been receiving death threats.

1,650 people reported buried under Gaza rubble, more than half of them children: PRCS

Some 1,650 people are reported missing under the rubble in bomb-hit Gaza, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society has said.

940 of those reported missing are children, the PRCS said, citing "official authorities".

Palestine's envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, said 3,000 children had been killed in Israel's bombardment of Gaza, which has lasted almost three weeks.

Children make up roughly half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million.

Spike in attacks on US, allied forces since Israel's Gaza bombings began

American and allied forces in Iraq and Syria have been attacked at least 16 times this month, the US Department of Defence said Thursday, blaming "Iranian-backed militia groups."

The latest attack took place in Iraqi Kurdistan on Thursday, causing "no casualties" and "some minor damage to infrastructure," Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder told journalists.

Since 17 October, "US and coalition forces have been attacked at least 12 separate times in Iraq (and) four separate times in Syria," Ryder said, referring to the international coalition against the Islamic State jihadist group.

US forces in the Middle East are facing a spike in attacks linked to Israel's latest war on Gaza.

Israel's retaliatory bombardment has killed more than 7,000 people, according to the Gaza health ministry - deaths that have sparked widespread anger across the Middle East.

There are roughly 2,500 American troops in Iraq and some 900 in Syria as part of efforts to prevent a resurgence of IS, which once held significant territory in both countries but was pushed back by local ground forces backed by international air strikes in a bloody multi-year conflict.

UN food chief criticises strict Rafah crossing checks for limiting Gaza aid

Overly stringent checks on trucks at the Rafah crossing from Egypt into Gaza were slowing the flow of humanitarian aid to a "dribble" as hunger grows among Palestinians there, UN World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Cindy McCain told Reuters on Thursday.

The Rafah crossing, which is controlled by Egypt and does not border Israel, has become the main point of aid delivery since Israel imposed a total siege of Gaza on 9 October.

"We’ve gotten a few – a dribble, just a dribble – of trucks in," McCain said in an interview.

"We need to get a large amount in. We need safe, unfettered access into Gaza so that we can feed and make sure that people don’t starve to death, because that’s what’s happening."

(Reuters)

EU leaders call for 'corridors and pauses' for Gaza aid

EU leaders have called for "humanitarian corridors and pauses" to get aid into Gaza, after hours of negotiations at a summit of the bloc in Brussels.

"The European Council expresses its gravest concern for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and calls for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures including humanitarian corridors and pauses for humanitarian needs," a statement said.

Palestine envoy on verge of tears in UN General Assembly speech

Palestine's ambassador to the United Nations pleaded with the UN General Assembly at its emergency session Thursday.

Riyad Mansour appeared to be struggling to maintain his composure during his 23-minute address, his voice often breaking. He was at moments on the verge of tears.

"How can representatives of states explain how horrible it is that 1,000 Israelis were killed, and not feel the same outrage when 1,000 Palestinians are now killed every single day?" Mansour asked the assembly.

"Why not feel a sense of urgency to end their killing?"

Speaking on behalf of Arab states, Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi accused Israel of "making Gaza a perpetual hell on earth - the trauma will haunt generations to come." He said the impact on Palestinian civilians was immense.

"I don't have videos to show you, we respect the dead too much," Safadi said.

The General Assembly began a two-day meeting on the Middle East on Thursday.

It is due to vote on Friday on a resolution drafted by Arab states that calls for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

(The New Arab, Reuters)

Hamas list names 7,000 killed in Israel's airstrikes on Gaza

Hamas on Thursday released a list of around 7,000 names of people in Gaza it said had been killed in Israeli strikes since its deadly cross border raids on 7 October.

The list was produced a day after US President Joe Biden said he had "no confidence" in the militant group's death toll figures. 

Israel calls on Russia to expel visiting Hamas delegation

Israel has called on Russia to expel a visiting Hamas delegation, saying their invitation to Moscow was "deplorable."

In its call, Israel once again drew comparisons between Hamas and the extremist Islamic State group, known by the acronyms IS or ISIS.

"Hamas is a terrorist organisation worse than ISIS," the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement.

The hands of senior Hamas figures are covered with the blood of more than 1,400 Israelis... they are responsible for the abduction of more than 220 Israelis, including babies, children, women and the elderly," the ministry said.

Representatives of Hamas and Iran were in Moscow Thursday for talks, Russia's foreign ministry said.

(The New Arab, Reuters)

Israel Defence Minister "setting the ground" for Gaza ground operation

Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated that the military was "setting the ground for the continuation of the campaign, and more stages will follow." He also reiterated that the ground operation would take place.

He also added that Israel would get back the Israeli hostages currently held by Hamas, saying "I am determined to make every effort to return the hostages to their families. This is my highest duty, along with a complete victory in the war."

It comes following Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu's statement yesterday confirming that a ground operation would take place.

Israeli drone attacks fighters in southern Lebanon: military

The Israeli military stated that a drone has attacked fighters in south Lebanon that were preparing to launch an anti-tank guided missile at an Israeli military post. 

The announcement comes as clashes between Israel and Hezbollah continue across the Israel Lebanon border, which has seen Hezbollah launch anti-tank guided missiles against Israeli military positions and targets since 7 October. 

Palestinian foreign minister to support ICC investigation

The Palestinian Authority's (PA) foreign minister, Riyad al-Maliki, said he supports an International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation in the Palestinian territories as part of a two day visit to the Netherlands, meeting chief prosecutor at the ICC Karim Khan

During his meeting al-Maliki reiterated that the PA would not interfere or try to stop any investigation of the Hamas assault into southern Israel on 7 October that killed 1,400 Israelis, following comments from Khan that the ICC did have a mandate to investigate the attack.

The ICC's mandate into investigating crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories was launched in 2021 in a bid to investigate Israeli operations against the Gaza Strip and the expansion of Jewish Settlements in the occupied West Bank.

al-Maliki also stated that Israel was waging a war of revenge which violated international law, saying Israel "has no real objective other than the total destruction of every livable place in Gaza."

Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip has killed 7,028 Palestinians, including 2,913 children.

Hamas says 50 Israeli hostages killed in Israel's bombardment

Hamas' military wing the Qassam brigades has announced that 50 Israeli hostages have been killed by Israel's ongoing bombardment of the Gaza Strip. 

According to the Israeli military, Hamas holds 224 hostages as a result of the 7 October attack.

Gaza infrastructure severely damaged in Israeli attacks

Gaza's infrastructure has been severely damaged by Israel's ongoing bombardment of the Gaza Strip. 

According to Palestinian officials, 200,000 housing units have been completely destroyed or partially damaged. That's 45 percent of housing units in the strip. 

As well as housing, 219 educational facilities have been hit by Israeli airstrikes, including 29 UNRWA schools. 

Gaza's healthcare services have suffered 25 ambulance losses out of 50 that were attacked, with 101 medical personnel being killed by airstrikes and 24 hospitals being requested to evacuate from northern Gaza as part of Israel's evacuation order southwards. Hospitals are operating at 150 percent of capacity. 

Holy Family Church in Gaza told to evacuate

A source in Gaza has told The New Arab that the Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in Gaza, has been warned to evacuate because Israel has threatened to bomb it. 

Israel airstrikes in Khan Younis kills 30

Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis have killed 30 people according to according to Al Jazeera. 

The airstrikes in the residential area of the Gaza Strip hit six houses. More people are believed to be under the rubble.

Gaza health ministry reports death toll at 7,028

7,028 Palestinians have been killed by Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip since 7 October. 2,913 children are included in that figure, as well as 1,709 women and 397 elderly people. 

105 Palestinians have also been killed in the West Bank according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

Gaza's religious affairs ministry authorises mass burials

The Ministry of Religious Affairs in Gaza has authorised the use of mass burials for those killed in Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

The authorisation came because of the "large numbers of people killed and the small number of available space," according to the ministry. 

The authorisation comes as Palestinian families begin to wear ID bracelets or write down names on arms in a bid to ensure they can be identified in the event they are killed by an Israeli airstrike. 

Israeli military to extend evacuation of border communities

The Israeli Ministry of Defence has proposed an extension to the evacuation of communities around the Gaza and Lebanese border until 31 December, according to Israeli public broadcaster Kan.

The report detailed that the extension will cost the government billions of Israeli new shekels, with some government ministries opposing the plan because it is too early to make such a decision.

It comes as 200,000 Israeli's have been relocated from communities around the Lebanese border and Gaza due to Israel's preparation for a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, as well as ongoing clashes between the Israeli military and Hezbollah that have prompted fears of a second front opening. 

24 Palestinian journalists killed since start of Israeli bombardment of Gaza

24 Palestinian journalists have been killed by Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip since 7 October, according to the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA).

The latest journalist, who was killed on Thursday morning, is Duaa Sharaf, who was killed along with her child. She was a presenter for the Gaza-based radio station Voice of Al-Aqsa.

The MADA condemned the targeting of journalists in the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel, and called for the international community to put pressure on Israel to end its bombardment of Gaza and killing of civilians. 

Israeli raids in occupied West Bank see 99 arrested

Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank lead to the arrest of 99 Palestinians, according to Palestinian news agency WAFA.

The raids, conducted on Wednesday night into Thursday morning, occurred several locations around occupied East Jerusalem and the cities of Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, Hebron, Salfit and Tubas.

Advanced talks could see more Israeli hostages released "within a few days" 

Talks aimed at releasing further Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip could see a release occur "within a few days," according to Israeli and foreign sources speaking with Israeli publication Haaretz.

It is not known how many could be released, nor who, but according to officials a deal could be complete "within two days, maybe even less, depending on how the talks go."

The officials reiterated that Israel wanted to attain the release of all civilian hostages in a single deal prior to any ground invasion of Gaza, which would complicated a later release. 

However, there is also the prospect that a deal could be accomplished where only a section of civilian hostages could be released, such as foreign workers, or women and children and the elderly. 

Israeli officials noted that a deal could require an exchange, either for the release of Palestinian prisoners currently in Israeli jails, or an increase in aid allowance into the Gaza Strip.

UN says 'nowhere is safe' in Gaza amid Israel bombing

The United Nations issued a stark warning Thursday that "nowhere is safe" in the Gaza Strip amid stepped up Israeli air raids in preparation for a widely expected ground offensive.

Israel is conducting strikes on nearly every part of the Palestinian enclave, with Lynne Hastings, the UN humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, saying that "people are left with nothing but impossible choices. Nowhere is safe in Gaza."

Confirmed number of Gaza hostages rises to 224, Israeli military says

The Israeli military said on Thursday that the number of people confirmed held hostage in the Gaza Strip since the 7 October assault by Hamas on southern Israel had reached 224, and could rise further.

(Reuters)

Qatar, Turkey discuss Gaza aid

Qatar and Turkey have called for the containment of the Gaza conflict and for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the strip.

During talks in Doha with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad discussed ways to reduce the current escalation, the official Qatar News agency reported yesterday.

He said that Qatar condemned all forms of targeting civilians, especially women and children, noting that a "policy of collective punishment" is "unacceptable under any pretext."

Egypt warns Israel against Gaza ground invasion

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has warned against an Israeli ground incursion into the Gaza Strip, saying it would lead to the death and injury of huge numbers of civilians. 

During a press conference in Cairo yesterday with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who is visiting a number of countries in the region, Sisi reminded his audience that "about 6,000 civilians have already been killed in Gaza, half of whom are children."

Sisi said that he agreed with Macron on the importance of preventing the conflict from expanding to "other parties and other areas," adding that both leaders condemned the attacks on civilians on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

Israeli army conducts raids into Gaza Strip with tanks

Israeli army says its forces had conducted a "targeted raid using tanks" in the northern Gaza Strip last night.

The army added that its forces attacked and destroyed "infrastructure, anti-tank positions and carried out work" which it said was part of its “preparation of the area for the next stages of combat”, in a likely reference to its anticipated ground invasion of northern Gaza.

The report of the ground incursion was not carried by any Palestinian news outlets.