Closing summary
An Israeli attack near an aid distribution point in southern Gaza killed as many as 31 Palestinian people on Sunday, according to local health authorities, eyewitnesses and media reports.
Witnesses told the Associated Press that Israeli forces had opened fire as they headed toward the aid distribution site in Rafah run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
The US and Israel-backed GHF, which aims to bypass the UN as the main supplier of aid to the civilian population of Gaza, said the reports were fabricated.
The Red Crescent reported that 14 Palestinian people were injured on Sunday by Israeli fire near a separate site in central Gaza.
At least 54,418 Palestinian people have been killed and 124,190 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since 7 October 2023, the Gaza health ministry said in an update.
Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, said he has instructed the military to continue advancing towards “all targets” in Gaza despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations being mediated by the US, Israel’s biggest ally.
Hamas announced on Saturday that it had replied to a US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal, but Washington’s main negotiator criticised the response as “totally unacceptable”. It means that a significant breakthrough is unlikely to come anytime soon.
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Updated
Israeli minister orders military to advance 'against all targets' in its assault on Gaza despite ceasefire talks
Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, said he has instructed the military to continue advancing towards “all targets” in Gaza despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations being mediated by the US, Israel’s biggest ally.
In a post on X, he wrote:
On the eve of Shavuot (the Jewish holiday celebrating the harvest season in Israel), the IDF is operating in Gaza with great intensity, crushing the enemy and paving the way for the maneuvering forces.
I have instructed the IDF to continue forward against all targets, regardless of any negotiations, and to employ every necessary means from the air, land, and sea to protect IDF soldiers and to eliminate and destroy Hamas murderers.
Those who massacred and fought against us will pay the full price. As I said: either Hamas releases the hostages, or it will be destroyed.
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