An Israeli strike targeted a tent sheltering a displaced family in the central Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least three individuals, including the parents of twins, as reported by Palestinian medical officials. The strike, which occurred late Sunday in the Nuseirat urban refugee camp, also left two children, aged 10, with severe injuries. The injured children were promptly taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah for treatment. The Israeli military maintains that its operations solely target militants and alleges that they often hide among civilians.
The strike caused injuries to at least 24 individuals, who were subsequently transported to Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat for medical attention, according to Mohamed Muhareb, the head of the hospital's ambulance service. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began after militants breached Israeli borders on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Palestinian health officials report that over 43,000 individuals have lost their lives in Gaza, with more than half of the fatalities being women and children.
Israeli Airstrike Impacts Syria's Main Highway
Israel's air force conducted an airstrike on an aid convoy in Syria, leading to the closure of the country's primary north-south highway, as per Syrian state media. The strike, which took place in Shamsin, approximately 20 kilometers from the Lebanese border, disrupted the M5 highway connecting Damascus and Aleppo. Israel's actions in Syria are primarily aimed at thwarting arms shipments to Hezbollah in Lebanon and preventing Iran from establishing military infrastructure near its borders.
Additionally, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has claimed the lives of more than 200 children in Lebanon, according to the United Nations children's agency. The agency emphasized the legal obligation to safeguard children during times of war and called for an immediate cease-fire to protect vulnerable populations. The protracted conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement in Lebanon, with over 3,000 fatalities and more than 1.2 million individuals forced to flee their homes.
Yemen's Houthi Rebels Launch Missile Towards Israel
Yemen's Houthi rebels asserted that they launched a missile targeting Israel, with the Israeli military confirming the interception of the projectile originating from Yemen. The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have seen the Houthis engage in missile launches and naval attacks in the Red Sea corridor. The rebels also reported attacks on sites within Yemen, likely due to U.S. airstrikes, although this was not immediately acknowledged by American authorities.
UAE Diplomat Calls for De-escalation in Middle East Conflicts
A senior diplomat from the United Arab Emirates urged global attention towards protecting civilians and de-escalating the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The UAE, which recognized Israel diplomatically in 2020, emphasized the need for a political framework to address the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The diplomat called for pragmatic solutions and a serious political horizon to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and achieve a two-state solution.
The UAE has provided aid to Gaza and Lebanon during the conflicts while maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel. Criticizing the violence in the region, the diplomat highlighted the importance of reform in governance in both the Palestinian territories and Lebanon to facilitate international support and stability.
