KEY POINTS
- Israeli army says most of the dead in Gaza aid riot were trampled, run over by trucks
- Hamas warns stampede incident could halt truce negotiations
- 50 Palestinian inmates freed from West Bank prison, local media says
The war in Gaza is now on its 147th day, and Israel has reportedly conducted airstrikes in Syria, killing a military adviser in Iran's Revolutionary Guards, as well as two militia leaders of Lebanon-based Hezbollah, which has been launching rockets on a near-daily basis toward northern Israel since the Israel-Hamas war started.
Eyes are on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) following reports that its troops fired at a large crowd of Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid to arrive in Gaza when violence erupted among the mob.
Lebanon's caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati expressed confidence that a ceasefire in Gaza would pave the way for negotiations regarding the tense Israel-Lebanon border.
- US will be 'seeking answers' in deadly Gaza aid site riot: State Department spokesperson
- Israeli army should 'fully explain' Gaza aid stampede: German foreign minister
- Investigation should be conducted in stampede incident: EU Commission president
- Israeli fighter jets strike 2 Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon
- EU to push through with $54 million donation to embattled UNRWA next week
- Jordan airdrops aid packages in northern Gaza
- IDF completes Ramadan security preparations: Local media
- 'Millions' join Gaza solidarity rally in Yemeni capital: Houthi spokesman
- Only Iran-bound grain vessels still transiting Red Sea amid Houthi aggression: Analyst
The Red Sea saw a 24-hour period of peace Thursday as the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it did not issue any maritime security alerts that day. The peaceful day came after Yemeni rebel Houthis, another Iran-backed terror group, said it has prepared "surprises" in the Red Sea.
Also, the forces with the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) have been striking Houthi assets in self-defense with the aim of ensuring safe navigation for commercial ships in the Red and Arabian Seas and the Gulf of Aden.
Back in war-torn Gaza, the IDF is under mounting pressure to clarify the incident in northern Gaza wherein more than a hundred Palestinians were reported dead following a stampede as a humanitarian convoy entered the Strip to deliver aid.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again reiterated that Israel will not give in to Hamas' "delusional demands" for a halt in the fighting – this despite desperate calls from the loved ones of some 100 hostages and around 30 bodies of deceased abductees for their release.
The war in Gaza stems from an arduous and violent history of the Israel-Palestine conflict that has left civilians from both sides suffering the consequences of decades-long fighting.
The live update has ended.
Only grain ships bound for Iran still transiting Red Sea: Analyst
Amid continuing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, many grain-carrying vessels are avoiding the area, an analyst said Friday, as per Reuters.
"Just about all (dry bulk grain) vessels going from the Americas and western Europe are avoiding the Red Sea, the only exception is vessels going to Iran, they're still taking the Red Sea route when shorter," said Ishan Bhanu, a lead agricultural commodities analyst at data provider Kpler.
