Summary
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, has said that 25 people were killed in overnight Israeli airstrikes on Syria. Syrian state media had put the death toll at 16 with 40 people injured. Iran described the airstrikes as a “criminal” attack on Syria. The main target appeared to be a military research centre in Masyaf associated with Syria’s chemical and ballistic missiles programme but explosions were also heard in Damascus, Homs and Tartus.
Benny Gantz, the centre-right National Unity party leader and former defence minister, has reportedly said that Israel should shift its focus toward Hezbollah and the Lebanese border. “The story of Hamas is old news,” Gantz was quoted as saying at a Middle East forum in Washington DC. He said that, instead, “the story of Iran and its proxies all around the area and what they are trying to do is the real issue”.
The UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, said that ending the war in Gaza is a priority and asked countries to act on what he called Israel’s “blatant disregard” for international law in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The director of Northern Gaza’s Kamal Adwan hospital, Hussam Abu Safia, warned that the hospital will be out of service within 48 hours due to fuel shortages and a lack of critical medical supplies. Safia said fuel shortages in the intensive care unit could lead to the deaths of dozens of children.
At least 40,988 Palestinian people have been killed and 94,825 injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza since 7 October, the Gaza health ministry said in a statement.
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Updated
The World Food Programme (WFP), the UN’s food agency, says 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza are in “urgent” need of food and livelihood assistance.
The WFP in the Middle East and north Africa said Israeli evacuation orders are hindering efforts to deliver aid. The agency reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire.
🔴11 months of war in #Gaza
— WFP in the Middle East & North Africa (@WFP_MENA) September 9, 2024
And 2.2 million people are still in urgent need of food & livelihood assistance.
Despite @WFP’s commitment to deliver aid, evacuation orders are hindering our efforts, and needs are on the rise.
A ceasefire is needed! pic.twitter.com/uHJAPFnchd
Víctor Aguayo, Unicef’s director of child Nutrition, has said that one of the most severe food and nutrition crises in history is currently being experienced by Palestinian people in Gaza.
He said the impact of the war and “severe restrictions” on the humanitarian response have led to a “complete collapse” of food, health and protection systems, with “catastrophic consequences”.
Aguayo warned that there is a real risk of famine, with most of the agricultural land in the Gaza Strip having been destroyed by Israeli airstrikes.
Under the technical definition of famine, 20% of households must face an extreme lack of food, or essentially be starving. One-third of children must be suffering from acute malnutrition or wasting, and two adults or four children for every 10,000 people must be dying daily from hunger and its complications.
