Israel on Tuesday (Sep 9) launched a targeted airstrike in Qatar's Doha, claiming that it was against "the top leadership of the Hamas terrorist organisation." The IDF stated that, together with Shin Bet and the Air Force, they had conducted a targeted strike against the top leadership of Hamas, who had been responsible for the October 7 massacre and were leading the conflict against Israel. As per Israeli media, Hamas' Gaza Chief, Khalil Al-Hayya was eliminated in the attack.&nbsp;&nbsp;Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the recent targeted strike against senior Hamas leaders was a fully independent Israeli operation. The statement was released on X, and it stated that the operation was carried out “solely by Israel”, without external coordination or foreign involvement. This strike, conducted by the IDF, Shin Bet, and Israeli Air Force, targeted top Hamas commanders allegedly responsible for orchestrating the October 7 attacks and leading ongoing military operations against Israel, the statement said. Israeli authorities highlighted the use of precision weaponry and intelligence to minimise civilian casualties during the mission. The move marks a significant development in Israel’s broader campaign to dismantle Hamas’s leadership infrastructure in Gaza.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250909/image-1757428773485.png"></figure>

Meanwhile, Qatar has strongly condemned the strike in Doha, saying that it targeted residential buildings housing Hamas political bureau members. Calling it a "cowardly attack," Qatar stated it violated international law and endangered civilians. Authorities are investigating and taking measures to ensure public safety. Iran also condemned the attack and called it a ‘gross violation’.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Advisor to the Prime Minister and official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs: &quot;The State of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Qatar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Qatar</a> strongly condemns the cowardly Israeli attack that targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Political Bureau of Hamas in the Qatari capital, Doha.… <a href="https://t.co/6pYs8zyOHu">pic.twitter.com/6pYs8zyOHu</a>&mdash; Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) <a href="https://twitter.com/QNAEnglish/status/1965409903784206830?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The US State Department and US President Donald Trump are yet to react to the attack. However, the US Embassy in Qatar advised its citizens to take ‘shelter-in-place.’ “We have seen reports of missile strikes occurring in Doha. The U.S. Embassy has instituted a shelter-in-place order for their facilities. U.S. citizens are advised to shelter-in-place and monitor,” it said in a post on X.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We have seen reports of missile strikes occurring in Doha. The U.S. Embassy has instituted a shelter-in-place order for their facilities. U.S. citizens are advised to shelter-in-place and monitor <a href="https://twitter.com/USEmbassyDoha?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USEmbassyDoha</a> social media for updates.&mdash; U.S. Embassy in Qatar (@USEmbassyDoha) <a href="https://twitter.com/USEmbassyDoha/status/1965410250707935632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel’s strike on top Hamas leaders in Doha and said that it was a fully independent operation, conducted by the IDF, Shin Bet, and Air Force

Israel on Tuesday (Sep 9) launched a targeted airstrike in Qatar's Doha, claiming that it was against "the top leadership of the Hamas terrorist organisation." The IDF stated that, together with Shin Bet and the Air Force, they had conducted a targeted strike against the top leadership of Hamas, who had been responsible for the October 7 massacre and were leading the conflict against Israel. As per Israeli media, Hamas' Gaza Chief, Khalil Al-Hayya was eliminated in the attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the recent targeted strike against senior Hamas leaders was a fully independent Israeli operation. The statement was released on X, and it stated that the operation was carried out “solely by Israel”, without external coordination or foreign involvement. This strike, conducted by the IDF, Shin Bet, and Israeli Air Force, targeted top Hamas commanders allegedly responsible for orchestrating the October 7 attacks and leading ongoing military operations against Israel, the statement said. Israeli authorities highlighted the use of precision weaponry and intelligence to minimise civilian casualties during the mission. The move marks a significant development in Israel’s broader campaign to dismantle Hamas’s leadership infrastructure in Gaza.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel’s strike on top Hamas leaders in Doha and said that it was a fully independent operation, conducted by the IDF, Shin Bet, and Air Force

US helped Israel in Doha attack? Netanyahu breaks silence, takes 'full responsibility' of attack on Hamas in Qatar

Israel has instructed the entire population of Gaza City — home to around one million people — to leave immediately as it prepares for a large-scale ground offensive aimed at seizing control of the territory’s biggest urban center. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued the order on Tuesday (September 9), warning residents that heavy military action would soon engulf the city. “From the Old City and Tuffah in the east to the shoreline in the west, the IDF will strike Hamas with overwhelming force in Gaza City,” said Avichay Adraee, the army’s Arabic-language spokesperson.&nbsp;&nbsp;He urged civilians to evacuate through the Rashid coastal road toward Al-Mawasi, which Israel has designated as a “humanitarian zone.” The directive was reinforced by air-dropped leaflets that included maps instructing people to move westward toward the sea before heading south. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had already cautioned Palestinians a day earlier, declaring, “This is only the beginning of the intensified ground maneuver in Gaza City.” Hours later, Israeli forces escalated aerial bombardments, hitting several high-rise residential towers.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nepal-protests-prime-minister-kp-sharma-oli-steps-down-as-fresh-wave-of-protests-erupt-1757407955361">Nepal protests: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli steps down as fresh wave of protests erupt</a>&nbsp;According to Israeli officials, the military already holds about 40% of Gaza City, but the campaign is being stepped up to secure full control, which Israel claims is essential to dismantle Hamas. Despite the evacuation orders, only about 70,000 residents—less than 10% of the city’s population—have fled so far. Humanitarian preparations remain far behind the pace of displacement. Israel says just 3,000 tents have entered Gaza to date, far short of its target of 100,000 within three weeks. “We want to flood Gaza with tents,” a senior Israeli official told reporters.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/army-evacuates-ministers-from-bhaisepati-amid-escalating-nepal-protests-1757409661640">Army evacuates ministers from Bhaisepati amid escalating Nepal protests</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, Washington and Tel Aviv plan to expand aid distribution centers managed by the contentious Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) from four to 16. But as of now, it is unclear whether the additional sites are operational.

'This is only the beginning': Netanyahu issues warning as Israel orders mass evacuation of Gaza city ahead of full military push

Israel has instructed the entire population of Gaza City — home to around one million people — to leave immediately as it prepares for a large-scale ground offensive aimed at seizing control of the territory’s biggest urban center. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued the order on Tuesday (September 9), warning residents that heavy military action would soon engulf the city. “From the Old City and Tuffah in the east to the shoreline in the west, the IDF will strike Hamas with overwhelming force in Gaza City,” said Avichay Adraee, the army’s Arabic-language spokesperson. He urged civilians to evacuate through the Rashid coastal road toward Al-Mawasi, which Israel has designated as a “humanitarian zone.” The directive was reinforced by air-dropped leaflets that included maps instructing people to move westward toward the sea before heading south. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had already cautioned Palestinians a day earlier, declaring, “This is only the beginning of the intensified ground maneuver in Gaza City.” Hours later, Israeli forces escalated aerial bombardments, hitting several high-rise residential towers. Also Read: Nepal protests: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli steps down as fresh wave of protests erupt According to Israeli officials, the military already holds about 40% of Gaza City, but the campaign is being stepped up to secure full control, which Israel claims is essential to dismantle Hamas. Despite the evacuation orders, only about 70,000 residents—less than 10% of the city’s population—have fled so far. Humanitarian preparations remain far behind the pace of displacement. Israel says just 3,000 tents have entered Gaza to date, far short of its target of 100,000 within three weeks. “We want to flood Gaza with tents,” a senior Israeli official told reporters. Also Read: Army evacuates ministers from Bhaisepati amid escalating Nepal protests Meanwhile, Washington and Tel Aviv plan to expand aid distribution centers managed by the contentious Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) from four to 16. But as of now, it is unclear whether the additional sites are operational.

Israel orders Gaza city’s million residents to evacuate as it intensifies strikes, vowing this is ‘only the beginning’ of its ground takeover campaign

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will “allow” Gazans to leave amid the ongoing Israel–Gaza war. The announcement comes as the conflict intensifies and global pressure mounts for civilian safety.


Israel-Gaza War: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Says He Will Allow Gazans to Leave | WION Pulse

Israel-Gaza War: Netanyahu Pushes For Palestinians' Departure As Egypt Seeks 60-day Truce | GRAVITAS

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has declassified details of "Operation Many Ways," where 120 commandos dismantled a Syrian underground missile production facility reportedly financed by Iran. The mission was carried out on September 8, 2024. The facility, called "Deep Layer," was located near Masyaf in western Syria, a region known for its strong air defence.
<h2 class="p1">Targeted Facility</h2>
The Deep Layer facility was reportedly constructed after a 2017 Israeli airstrike on an aboveground missile production site.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-10-world-news-new-orleans-attack-updates-israeli-military-kills-hamas-police-chief-and-more-8586402">Top 10 world news: New Orleans attack updates; IDF kills Hamas police chief, and more</a>
The facility was built 70-130 meters into a mountain and was operational by 2021. It was producing up to 300 missiles annually with a range of 300 kilometres. The missiles were allegedly intended for Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Assad regime.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m5gia617-1xqvibot-0hkyz8v7">
DECLASSIFIED: In September 2024, before the fall of the Assad Regime, our soldiers conducted an undercover operation to dismantle an Iranian-funded underground precision missile production site in Syria. Watch exclusive footage from this historic moment. <a href="https://t.co/s0bTDNwx77">pic.twitter.com/s0bTDNwx77</a>
&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1874849694012309593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2 class="p1">Operational Details</h2>
Israeli military planned the operation for several years. It gained urgency amid escalating regional tensions. Commandos were flown into Syrian airspace on CH-53 helicopters, escorted by fighter jets and drones. To evade radar and Syrian air defences, the aircraft flew over the Mediterranean and at low altitudes.
Upon reaching the site, diversionary strikes were launched to misdirect Syrian forces. Commandos breached the facility&rsquo;s fortified entrances using forklifts to access critical areas. Explosives were planted along the production line to target machinery used for missile manufacturing. The explosives were remotely detonated by the Israeli commandos.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-police-chief-deputy-killed-in-israeli-airstrikes-on-gaza-humanitarian-zone-8585896">Hamas police chief, deputy killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza humanitarian zone</a>
<h2 class="p1">Outcome</h2>
The IAF reported 30 Syrian casualties, while Syrian media claimed 14 deaths and 43 injuries. The operation lasted for almost three hours with all commandos returning safely.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Israel declassified details of "Operation Many Ways," a September 2024 mission where 120 commandos destroyed an underground missile facility in Syria

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has declassified details of "Operation Many Ways," where 120 commandos dismantled a Syrian underground missile production facility reportedly financed by Iran. The mission was carried out on September 8, 2024. The facility, called "Deep Layer," was located near Masyaf in western Syria, a region known for its strong air defence. Targeted Facility The Deep Layer facility was reportedly constructed after a 2017 Israeli airstrike on an aboveground missile production site. Also read: Top 10 world news: New Orleans attack updates; IDF kills Hamas police chief, and more The facility was built 70-130 meters into a mountain and was operational by 2021. It was producing up to 300 missiles annually with a range of 300 kilometres. The missiles were allegedly intended for Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Assad regime. DECLASSIFIED: In September 2024, before the fall of the Assad Regime, our soldiers conducted an undercover operation to dismantle an Iranian-funded underground precision missile production site in Syria. Watch exclusive footage from this historic moment. pic.twitter.com/s0bTDNwx77 — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 2, 2025 Operational Details Israeli military planned the operation for several years. It gained urgency amid escalating regional tensions. Commandos were flown into Syrian airspace on CH-53 helicopters, escorted by fighter jets and drones. To evade radar and Syrian air defences, the aircraft flew over the Mediterranean and at low altitudes. Upon reaching the site, diversionary strikes were launched to misdirect Syrian forces. Commandos breached the facility’s fortified entrances using forklifts to access critical areas. Explosives were planted along the production line to target machinery used for missile manufacturing. The explosives were remotely detonated by the Israeli commandos. Also read: Hamas police chief, deputy killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza humanitarian zone Outcome The IAF reported 30 Syrian casualties, while Syrian media claimed 14 deaths and 43 injuries. The operation lasted for almost three hours with all commandos returning safely. (With inputs from agencies)

'Operation Many Ways': Israel declassifies details of strike on Iran-backed Syrian missile facility

The latest report by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) showed the massive impact on the demographics of both Israel and Gaza due to the ongoing war. The report said that in 2024, Gaza witnessed a population decline of 6 per cent, which is around 160,000 people.&nbsp;
The report published on Thursday (Jan 2) revealed that around 100,000 Palestinians were forced to evacuate the Gaza Strip after the October 7 attack. Furthermore, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza claimed that at least 45,552 fatalities occurred in the area due to Israeli military operations.&nbsp;
Also read | <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-hy-119-drone-meant-for-underwater-surveillance-recovered-in-philippines-waters-8585556" aria-label="Chinese HY-119 drone meant for 'underwater surveillance' recovered in Philippines waters">Chinese HY-119 drone meant for 'underwater surveillance' recovered in Philippines waters</a>
The assessment has further highlighted that at least 60, 000 pregnant women in Gaza faced serious health risks due to insufficient medical care. Around 96 per cent of residents have faced food security issues.&nbsp;
The PCBS report claimed that Gaza's current population is 2.1 million. Children under 18 comprise 47 per cent of the total population.&nbsp;
The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) said that continued but slower population growth has been registered in the Jewish nation. On Tuesday (Dec 31), the census office said that Israel's population growth has decreased from 1.6 per cent in 2023 to 1.1 per cent in 2024. The report claimed the decline in population was due to increased emigration, as 82,700 Israeli residents left Israel in 2024. The number was 55,000 in 2023.&nbsp;
Also read | <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/tocos-14000-collie-costume-sparks-creation-of-tocotoco-zoo-8585448" aria-label="Toco&rsquo;s $14,000 collie costume sparks creation of Tocotoco zoo">Toco&rsquo;s $14,000 collie costume sparks creation of Tocotoco zoo</a>
By December 31, 2024, Israel's population was recorded at 10.027 million. This was the first time that Israel's population surpassed 10 million, though this number includes foreign nationals living in Israel as well.&nbsp;
Currently, Israel is facing multiple conflicts, such as clashes with Labanon's Hezbollah, Iran, Yemen's Houthis, and other groups that claim to support the Palestinians in Gaza, with its biggest target being Hamas.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)
&nbsp;

World | Middle East: The report revealed that 100,000 Palestinians were forced to evacuate the Gaza Strip after Oct 7, while around 45,552 fatalities occurred in Israeli military operations. 

The latest report by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) showed the massive impact on the demographics of both Israel and Gaza due to the ongoing war. The report said that in 2024, Gaza witnessed a population decline of 6 per cent, which is around 160,000 people. The report published on Thursday (Jan 2) revealed that around 100,000 Palestinians were forced to evacuate the Gaza Strip after the October 7 attack. Furthermore, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza claimed that at least 45,552 fatalities occurred in the area due to Israeli military operations. Also read | Chinese HY-119 drone meant for 'underwater surveillance' recovered in Philippines waters The assessment has further highlighted that at least 60, 000 pregnant women in Gaza faced serious health risks due to insufficient medical care. Around 96 per cent of residents have faced food security issues. The PCBS report claimed that Gaza's current population is 2.1 million. Children under 18 comprise 47 per cent of the total population. The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) said that continued but slower population growth has been registered in the Jewish nation. On Tuesday (Dec 31), the census office said that Israel's population growth has decreased from 1.6 per cent in 2023 to 1.1 per cent in 2024. The report claimed the decline in population was due to increased emigration, as 82,700 Israeli residents left Israel in 2024. The number was 55,000 in 2023. Also read | Toco’s $14,000 collie costume sparks creation of Tocotoco zoo By December 31, 2024, Israel's population was recorded at 10.027 million. This was the first time that Israel's population surpassed 10 million, though this number includes foreign nationals living in Israel as well. Currently, Israel is facing multiple conflicts, such as clashes with Labanon's Hezbollah, Iran, Yemen's Houthis, and other groups that claim to support the Palestinians in Gaza, with its biggest target being Hamas. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza population declined by 6% in 2024, Israel faced slower population growth: Report

Conflict-ravaged Gaza appears to be facing the worst restrictions on aid since the Israel-Hams war there began over a year ago, the UN said on Tuesday, lamenting the devastating impact,&nbsp;especially, on children.

"Day after day, the situation for children becomes worse than the day before," said James Elder, spokesman for the UN children's agency UNICEF.

Vast areas of Gaza have been devastated by Israel's retaliatory assault on the territory after the October 7 Hamas attack last year that sparked the war.

And Israel has been intensifying operations in the north of the besieged Palestinian territory, where the UN has warned hundreds of thousands of people are trapped.

Despite a desperate need to increase the amount of aid going in, Elder lamented that aid access was worsening.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-to-impose-sanctions-on-india-experts-say-sick-man-shouldnt-punch-above-its-weight-767697">Canada looks to sanction India; experts say ‘sick man’ will shoot in the foot</a>

"August was the lowest amount of humanitarian aid that came into the Gaza Strip of any full month since the war broke out," he said, adding that there had been "several days in the last week (where) no commercial trucks whatsoever were allowed to come in".

"We see now what are probably the worst restrictions we've seen on humanitarian aid, ever."

Earlier in the year, amid warnings that the UN could declare a full-fledged famine in Gaza, Elder said there had been "a real push to have new routes and access point open".

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-air-defence-system-facing-shortage-of-munitions-as-war-drags-on-report-767726">Israel's air defence system facing shortage of munitions as war drags on</a>

But now, "we have seen an absolute reversal of that", he warned, adding that since May, "we've seen consistent entry points blocked".

Northern Gaza, meanwhile, "hasn't had food, any food aid at all coming in all of October", he added.

The dire lack of aid, coupled with the relentless strikes and the fact that around 85 per cent of the Gaza Strip has been hit with some form of evacuation order, has made the territory "essentially unlivable", Elder said.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Conflict-ravaged Gaza appears to be facing the worst restrictions on aid since the Israel-Hams war there began over a year ago, the UN said on Tuesday, lamenting the devastating impact, especially, on children.

Conflict-ravaged Gaza appears to be facing the worst restrictions on aid since the Israel-Hams war there began over a year ago, the UN said on Tuesday, lamenting the devastating impact, especially, on children. "Day after day, the situation for children becomes worse than the day before," said James Elder, spokesman for the UN children's agency UNICEF. Vast areas of Gaza have been devastated by Israel's retaliatory assault on the territory after the October 7 Hamas attack last year that sparked the war. And Israel has been intensifying operations in the north of the besieged Palestinian territory, where the UN has warned hundreds of thousands of people are trapped. Despite a desperate need to increase the amount of aid going in, Elder lamented that aid access was worsening. Also Read | Canada looks to sanction India; experts say ‘sick man’ will shoot in the foot "August was the lowest amount of humanitarian aid that came into the Gaza Strip of any full month since the war broke out," he said, adding that there had been "several days in the last week (where) no commercial trucks whatsoever were allowed to come in". "We see now what are probably the worst restrictions we've seen on humanitarian aid, ever." Earlier in the year, amid warnings that the UN could declare a full-fledged famine in Gaza, Elder said there had been "a real push to have new routes and access point open". Also Read | Israel's air defence system facing shortage of munitions as war drags on But now, "we have seen an absolute reversal of that", he warned, adding that since May, "we've seen consistent entry points blocked". Northern Gaza, meanwhile, "hasn't had food, any food aid at all coming in all of October", he added. The dire lack of aid, coupled with the relentless strikes and the fact that around 85 per cent of the Gaza Strip has been hit with some form of evacuation order, has made the territory "essentially unlivable", Elder said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

‘Worst restrictions’ on Gaza aid since Israel-Hamas war began: UN

Israeli military strikes killed at least 40‬ Palestinians across the Gaza Strip as Israeli forces tightened their squeeze around Jabalia in the north of the enclave on Tuesday, amid fierce battles with Hamas-led fighters.

Palestinian health officials said at least 11 people were killed by Israeli fire near Al-Falouja in Jabalia, the largest of Gaza's eight historic refugee camps, while 10 others were killed in Bani Suhaila in eastern Khan Younis in the south when an Israeli missile struck a house.

Earlier on Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike destroyed three houses in the Sabra suburb of Gaza City, and the local civil emergency service said they recovered two bodies from the site, while the search continued for 12 other people who were believed to have been in the houses at the time of the strike.

Five others were killed when a house was struck in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza.

Jabalia has been the focus of an Israeli offensive for more than 10 days, with troops returning to areas of the north that came under heavy bombardment in the early months of the year-long war.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-poll-body-eci-announces-dates-for-maharashtra-jharkhand-assembly-elections-767677">Poll body ECI announces dates for Maharashtra, Jharkhand Assembly elections</a>

The operation has raised concerns among Palestinians and UN&nbsp;agencies that Israel wants to clear residents from the north of the crowded enclave, a charge it has denied.

The United Nations human rights office said on Tuesday the Israeli military appeared to be "cutting off North Gaza completely from the rest of the Gaza Strip."

"Amid intense ongoing hostilities and evacuation orders in northern Gaza families are facing unimaginable fear, loss of loved ones, confusion, and exhaustion. People must be able to flee safely, without facing further danger," Adrian Zimmerman, ICRC Gaza head of sub-delegation, said in a statement.

"Many, including the sick and disabled, cannot leave, and they remain protected under international humanitarian law – all possible precautions must be taken to ensure they remain unharmed. Every person displaced has the right to return home in safety," he added.

The Israeli military has now encircled the Jabalia camp and sent tanks into nearby Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun towns, with the declared aim of stamping out Hamas fighters who are trying to regroup there.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/west-asia-crisis-25-of-lebanon-under-israeli-evacuation-orders-says-un-agency-767682">West Asia crisis: 25% of Lebanon under Israeli evacuation orders, says UN agency</a>

The Israeli military has told residents to leave their homes and head to safety in southern Gaza. Palestinian and UN&nbsp;officials say there was no place safe in Gaza.

Israeli officials said evacuation orders were aimed at separating Hamas fighters from civilians and denied that there was any systematic plan to clear civilians out of Jabalia or other northern areas.

Hamas' armed wing said fighters were engaged in fierce battles with Israeli forces in and around Jabalia.

Zimmerman also urged for health facilities in the north to be protected, saying hospitals there were struggling to provide medical services.

Gaza's health ministry said the army ordered the three hospitals operating there to evacuate but medical staffers said they were determined to continue their services even though they are overwhelmed by the growing number of casualties.

On Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the level of civilian casualties in northern Gaza.

The northern part of Gaza is home to well over half the territory's 2.3 million people and hundreds of thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes amidst heavy bombing in the first phase of Israel's assault on the territory.

Around 400,000 people remained, according to United Nations estimates.

Israel launched the offensive against Hamas after the militant group's October&nbsp;7 attack on Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage to Gaza, by Israeli tallies. More than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive so far, according to Gaza's health authorities.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Israeli military strikes killed at least 40‬ Palestinians across the Gaza Strip as Israeli forces tightened their squeeze around Jabalia in the north of the enclave on Tuesday, amid fierce battles with Hamas-led fighters.

Israeli military strikes killed at least 40‬ Palestinians across the Gaza Strip as Israeli forces tightened their squeeze around Jabalia in the north of the enclave on Tuesday, amid fierce battles with Hamas-led fighters. Palestinian health officials said at least 11 people were killed by Israeli fire near Al-Falouja in Jabalia, the largest of Gaza's eight historic refugee camps, while 10 others were killed in Bani Suhaila in eastern Khan Younis in the south when an Israeli missile struck a house. Earlier on Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike destroyed three houses in the Sabra suburb of Gaza City, and the local civil emergency service said they recovered two bodies from the site, while the search continued for 12 other people who were believed to have been in the houses at the time of the strike. Five others were killed when a house was struck in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza. Jabalia has been the focus of an Israeli offensive for more than 10 days, with troops returning to areas of the north that came under heavy bombardment in the early months of the year-long war. Also Read | Poll body ECI announces dates for Maharashtra, Jharkhand Assembly elections The operation has raised concerns among Palestinians and UN agencies that Israel wants to clear residents from the north of the crowded enclave, a charge it has denied. The United Nations human rights office said on Tuesday the Israeli military appeared to be "cutting off North Gaza completely from the rest of the Gaza Strip." "Amid intense ongoing hostilities and evacuation orders in northern Gaza families are facing unimaginable fear, loss of loved ones, confusion, and exhaustion. People must be able to flee safely, without facing further danger," Adrian Zimmerman, ICRC Gaza head of sub-delegation, said in a statement. "Many, including the sick and disabled, cannot leave, and they remain protected under international humanitarian law – all possible precautions must be taken to ensure they remain unharmed. Every person displaced has the right to return home in safety," he added. The Israeli military has now encircled the Jabalia camp and sent tanks into nearby Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun towns, with the declared aim of stamping out Hamas fighters who are trying to regroup there. Also Read | West Asia crisis: 25% of Lebanon under Israeli evacuation orders, says UN agency The Israeli military has told residents to leave their homes and head to safety in southern Gaza. Palestinian and UN officials say there was no place safe in Gaza. Israeli officials said evacuation orders were aimed at separating Hamas fighters from civilians and denied that there was any systematic plan to clear civilians out of Jabalia or other northern areas. Hamas' armed wing said fighters were engaged in fierce battles with Israeli forces in and around Jabalia. Zimmerman also urged for health facilities in the north to be protected, saying hospitals there were struggling to provide medical services. Gaza's health ministry said the army ordered the three hospitals operating there to evacuate but medical staffers said they were determined to continue their services even though they are overwhelmed by the growing number of casualties. On Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the level of civilian casualties in northern Gaza. The northern part of Gaza is home to well over half the territory's 2.3 million people and hundreds of thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes amidst heavy bombing in the first phase of Israel's assault on the territory. Around 400,000 people remained, according to United Nations estimates. Israel launched the offensive against Hamas after the militant group's October 7 attack on Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage to Gaza, by Israeli tallies. More than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive so far, according to Gaza's health authorities. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Israel-Hamas war: At least 40 killed in Gaza amid Israeli strikes as tanks deepen raid in north

Israel on Friday slammed a UN probe which concluded it was deliberately seeking to destroy healthcare in the Gaza Strip and abusing Palestinian detainees, branding the findings "outrageous".

The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry (CoI) said Israel had "perpetrated a concerted policy to destroy Gaza's healthcare system".

The country is "committing war crimes and the crime against humanity of extermination with relentless and deliberate attacks on medical personnel and facilities", it added, in a report released Thursday.

Israel said it firmly rejected the allegations, in a statement from its mission in Geneva.

"This latest report is another blatant attempt by the CoI to delegitimise the very existence of the State of Israel and obstruct its right to protect its population, while covering up the crimes of terrorist organisations.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maa-kalis-sacred-crown-stolen-from-bangladesh-temple-was-gifted-by-pm-modi-766517">India calls for investigation after deity's crown stolen from B'desh temple</a>

"This report shamelessly portrays Israel's operations in terror-infested health facilities in Gaza as a matter of policy against Gaza's health system, while entirely dismissing overwhelming evidence that medical facilities in Gaza have been systematically used by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad for terrorist activities," it said.

Israel also rejected accusations of widespread and systematic abuse of Palestinian detainees, amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

"Israel is fully committed to international legal standards regarding the treatment of detainees. This includes prohibition of excessive use of force and ill-treatment," the mission said.

It accused the commission of creating an "alternate reality", and thereby contributing to "the exacerbation of this conflict".

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/west-asia-crisis-us-wants-solution-in-lebanon-not-broader-conflict-says-blinken-766579">US wants solution in Lebanon, not broader conflict, says Blinken</a>

"We call on states to speak out against this prejudiced approach, which only serves to further stain the credibility of the Human Rights Council and the United Nations at large."

The three-person commission, established by the UN Human Rights Council in May 2021 to investigate alleged international law violations in Israel and the Palestinian territories, was publishing its second report since Hamas's October 7 attack a year ago, which sparked the ongoing war.

Israel invaded the Gaza Strip after last year's October 7 attack by Hamas militants that resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures, which include hostages killed in captivity.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 42,000 people in Gaza, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry that the UN has described as reliable.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Israel on Friday slammed a UN probe which concluded it was deliberately seeking to destroy healthcare in the Gaza Strip and abusing Palestinian detainees, branding the findings "outrageous".

Israel on Friday slammed a UN probe which concluded it was deliberately seeking to destroy healthcare in the Gaza Strip and abusing Palestinian detainees, branding the findings "outrageous". The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry (CoI) said Israel had "perpetrated a concerted policy to destroy Gaza's healthcare system". The country is "committing war crimes and the crime against humanity of extermination with relentless and deliberate attacks on medical personnel and facilities", it added, in a report released Thursday. Israel said it firmly rejected the allegations, in a statement from its mission in Geneva. "This latest report is another blatant attempt by the CoI to delegitimise the very existence of the State of Israel and obstruct its right to protect its population, while covering up the crimes of terrorist organisations. Also Read | India calls for investigation after deity's crown stolen from B'desh temple "This report shamelessly portrays Israel's operations in terror-infested health facilities in Gaza as a matter of policy against Gaza's health system, while entirely dismissing overwhelming evidence that medical facilities in Gaza have been systematically used by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad for terrorist activities," it said. Israel also rejected accusations of widespread and systematic abuse of Palestinian detainees, amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity. "Israel is fully committed to international legal standards regarding the treatment of detainees. This includes prohibition of excessive use of force and ill-treatment," the mission said. It accused the commission of creating an "alternate reality", and thereby contributing to "the exacerbation of this conflict". Also Read | US wants solution in Lebanon, not broader conflict, says Blinken "We call on states to speak out against this prejudiced approach, which only serves to further stain the credibility of the Human Rights Council and the United Nations at large." The three-person commission, established by the UN Human Rights Council in May 2021 to investigate alleged international law violations in Israel and the Palestinian territories, was publishing its second report since Hamas's October 7 attack a year ago, which sparked the ongoing war. Israel invaded the Gaza Strip after last year's October 7 attack by Hamas militants that resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures, which include hostages killed in captivity. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 42,000 people in Gaza, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry that the UN has described as reliable. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

'Outrageous': Israel slams UN probe accusing it of destroying Gaza healthcare system

The Palestinian Red Crescent said an Israeli air strike on a Gaza school killed at least 28 people on Thursday, while the Israeli military reported that it struck a Hamas command centre.

"Palestine Red Crescent teams responded to 28 fatalities and 54 injuries following the Israeli occupation army's targeting of Rafida School," the organisation said, referring to a school in Deir el-Balah.

Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry issued the same death toll in a statement.

The Israeli army said in a statement that the strike targeted Palestinian combatants operating from a command-and-control centre "embedded inside a compound that previously served as the (Rafida) School".

It did not give a toll but said the command-and-control centre was used "to plan and execute terrorist attacks against IDF (army) troops and the State of Israel".&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-fails-in-bid-to-join-un-human-rights-council-766289">Saudi Arabia fails in bid to join UN human rights council</a>

Thursday's attack was the latest in a series of Israeli strikes on school buildings housing displaced Palestinians in Gaza, where fighting has raged for more than a year.

On September 26, at least 15 people were killed in another school-turned-shelter strike in northern Gaza's Jabalia camp, according to Gaza civil defence agency.

The Israeli military is currently engaged in an intense operation in Jabaliya.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreans-deployed-alongside-russian-troops-to-fight-with-ukraine-kremlin-rejects-fake-claims-766328">North Koreans deployed alongside Russian troops to fight with Ukraine; Kremlin rejects 'fake' claims</a>

The Israeli military accuses Hamas of hiding in school buildings where thousands of Gazans have sought shelter -- a charge denied by the Palestinian militant group.

At least 42,065 Palestinians, a majority of them civilians, have been killed in Israel's military campaign in Gaza since the war began, according to data provided by the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

The United Nations has acknowledged the figures to be reliable.

The October 7 attack that triggered the war resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people on the Israeli side, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures, which includes hostages killed in captivity.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said an Israeli air strike on a Gaza school killed at least 28 people on Thursday, while the Israeli military reported that it struck a Hamas command centre.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said an Israeli air strike on a Gaza school killed at least 28 people on Thursday, while the Israeli military reported that it struck a Hamas command centre. "Palestine Red Crescent teams responded to 28 fatalities and 54 injuries following the Israeli occupation army's targeting of Rafida School," the organisation said, referring to a school in Deir el-Balah. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry issued the same death toll in a statement. The Israeli army said in a statement that the strike targeted Palestinian combatants operating from a command-and-control centre "embedded inside a compound that previously served as the (Rafida) School". It did not give a toll but said the command-and-control centre was used "to plan and execute terrorist attacks against IDF (army) troops and the State of Israel". Also Read | Saudi Arabia fails in bid to join UN human rights council Thursday's attack was the latest in a series of Israeli strikes on school buildings housing displaced Palestinians in Gaza, where fighting has raged for more than a year. On September 26, at least 15 people were killed in another school-turned-shelter strike in northern Gaza's Jabalia camp, according to Gaza civil defence agency. The Israeli military is currently engaged in an intense operation in Jabaliya. Also Read | North Koreans deployed alongside Russian troops to fight with Ukraine; Kremlin rejects 'fake' claims The Israeli military accuses Hamas of hiding in school buildings where thousands of Gazans have sought shelter -- a charge denied by the Palestinian militant group. At least 42,065 Palestinians, a majority of them civilians, have been killed in Israel's military campaign in Gaza since the war began, according to data provided by the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The United Nations has acknowledged the figures to be reliable. The October 7 attack that triggered the war resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people on the Israeli side, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures, which includes hostages killed in captivity. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Palestinian Red Crescent says 28 killed, 54 injured in Israeli strike on Gaza school

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that the country's military is approaching the end of the stage of eliminating Hamas' forces in Gaza.

“I returned yesterday from a visit to the Gaza Division and saw very significant achievements in the fighting being carried in Rafah. We are advancing towards the end stage of eliminating the Hamas terrorist army and will continue striking its remnants,” Netanyahu said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-forces-demolish-kilometre-long-terror-tunnel-in-central-gaza-736893">Israeli forces demolish kilometre-long tunnel in central Gaza</a>

The Israeli prime minister spoke to a group of Israeli and international military officials studying at the National Security College.

He reiterated that Israel would achieve its goals in the war against Hamas, which include&nbsp;bringing hostages back from Gaza, dismantling Hamas' military and governing capabilities, ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel, and securely returning displaced Israeli residents to their homes in both the south and the north.

Notably, before launching a military operation in Rafah in May, Israeli leaders had maintained that the southern Gaza city was the last stronghold of Hamas.

<h2>'Intense phase of Gaza war about to end':&nbsp;Netanyahu</h2>

Netanyahu had mentioned last month that the intense phase of the war with Hamas is about to end and that the military’s focus could then shift to Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.

“The war is not going to end soon; instead the war in its current stage is going to end in Rafah. This is true. We will continue to cut down the grass later,” Netanyahu was quoted as saying by Channel 14 Television on June 23.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/idf-strikes-hamas-targets-in-shejaiya-killing-at-least-40-militants-736515">IDF strikes Hamas targets in Shejaiya, killing at least 40 militants</a>

Notably, Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, in which at least 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 others were abducted.

Israeli attacks in Gaza have since killed at least 37,718 Palestinians and injured another 86,377 people, according to Gaza health officials.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that the country's military is approaching the end of the stage of eliminating Hamas' forces in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that the country's military is approaching the end of the stage of eliminating Hamas' forces in Gaza. “I returned yesterday from a visit to the Gaza Division and saw very significant achievements in the fighting being carried in Rafah. We are advancing towards the end stage of eliminating the Hamas terrorist army and will continue striking its remnants,” Netanyahu said. Also read: Israeli forces demolish kilometre-long tunnel in central Gaza The Israeli prime minister spoke to a group of Israeli and international military officials studying at the National Security College. He reiterated that Israel would achieve its goals in the war against Hamas, which include bringing hostages back from Gaza, dismantling Hamas' military and governing capabilities, ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel, and securely returning displaced Israeli residents to their homes in both the south and the north. Notably, before launching a military operation in Rafah in May, Israeli leaders had maintained that the southern Gaza city was the last stronghold of Hamas. 'Intense phase of Gaza war about to end': Netanyahu Netanyahu had mentioned last month that the intense phase of the war with Hamas is about to end and that the military’s focus could then shift to Israel’s northern border with Lebanon. “The war is not going to end soon; instead the war in its current stage is going to end in Rafah. This is true. We will continue to cut down the grass later,” Netanyahu was quoted as saying by Channel 14 Television on June 23. Also read: IDF strikes Hamas targets in Shejaiya, killing at least 40 militants Notably, Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, in which at least 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 others were abducted. Israeli attacks in Gaza have since killed at least 37,718 Palestinians and injured another 86,377 people, according to Gaza health officials. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel nearing to eliminate Hamas' army in Gaza, says Netanyahu

Huda Kattan, the founder of the popular makeup and beauty brand Huda Beauty, said she would risk her entire business over her standpoint on the dispute in Gaza. In a video uploaded on TikTok and Instagram on Sunday, the 40-year-old Iraqi-American beauty mogul said she received threats for her pro-Palestinian stance online.

Huda Kattan, the founder of the popular makeup and beauty brand Huda Beauty, said she would risk her entire business over her standpoint on the dispute in Gaza. In a video uploaded on TikTok and Instagram on Sunday, the 40-year-old Iraqi-American beauty mogul said she received threats for her pro-Palestinian stance online. "I have been experiencing so much intimidation from so many different ways, trying to get me to be silent. I had to ask myself, 'Why do they want me to be silent?' I'm talking about innocent people being hurt," she said in the video. Kattan, who was on Forbes's list of 100 most powerful businesswomen 2023, attacked the Israeli government in her video, saying, "I really feel the Israeli government is putting the Jewish people if they do care about them, they're putting the Jewish people in harm's way by mixing all the different things that they're mixing, and it's really sad." "I've always said that the Israeli government uses their religion and their people as human shields. I've always believed that they deflect and project everything that they do on the Palestinian people, and they're just caught up in a web of lies," she added. ALSO READ | Zelensky arrives in US for last-ditch effort for more aid Kattan's cosmetics business is worth $1.2 billion, Newsweek reported. According to Forbes, Huda Beauty brings about $200 million in annual sales. She also has 54 million followers on Instagram. However, Kattan is in no mood to hold herself back from expressing her opinion online. The Dubai-based businesswoman also criticised any notion that she was antisemitic. Kattan said in her video, "I'm willing to risk to my entire business, everything I have on that, in seek of truth and justice, and we have to be willing to do that." "We have to remember that we can't be afraid to lose anything. We have to trust the process, and we have to trust that if we lose something, something else will come to us the right way because we are doing good work. We have to believe that. I believe that wholeheartedly," she added. Huda Kattan has been vocal about her support for the Palestinian people for a long time. In 2021, she criticised Israel for the airstrikes on Gaza and the eviction of Palestinians from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem. She has also spoken about the war many times in the last few months. In November 2023, Kattan pledged to donate $1 million to Human Appeal and Doctors Without Borders, two humanitarian organisations working in Gaza. She faced a boycott by some Israeli customers and supporters of Israel after she openly expressed her support for the Palestinian people. In an Instagram post on her 40th birthday, an Israeli user criticised her for supporting Gaza despite doing so much business in Israel. The comment said, "So remember this as soon as no Israeli buys from you again, anywhere in the world. And it's a shame because we buy a lot." Kattan replied to the remark, saying, "I don't want blood money." However, this led to a petition demanding beauty product retailer Sephora remove Huda Beauty from its stores in the United States. (With inputs from agencies)

'Don't want blood money': Makeup mogul Huda Kattan 'willing to risk entire business' over pro-Palestine stance

The spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades said that the Palestinian militant group released two Israeli hostages, on Monday (Oct 23), who were being held in the Gaza Strip. Former&nbsp;hostages Yocheved Lifshitz and Nurit Cooper have been handed over to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) custody, said Prime Minister&nbsp;Benjamin Netanyahu's office in a statement.&nbsp;

<h2>Two more hostages released</h2>

The two detainees were identified by Hamas as Nurit Yitzhak and Yochved Lifshitz. The step was taken following Egyptian-Qatari mediation and “compelling humanitarian” reasons, said the Hamas spokesperson in a statement.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-dials-american-hostages-released-by-hamas-649777">US President Joe Biden dials American hostages released by Hamas</a>

Egyptian state media said that the two hostages who were freed by Hamas have arrived at Rafah border crossing. The report also claimed that the release was the result of intense Egyptian efforts.&nbsp;

Additionally, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) took to X and said that they “facilitated the release of 2 more hostages” and transported “them out of Gaza this evening”.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
In the image of Al Qassam Brigades releasing 2 Israeli hostages, what attracted attention was the attitude of the hostages. The hostages even waved their hands. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gaza?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gaza</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Palestine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Palestine</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Israel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Israel</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TelAviv?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TelAviv</a> <a href="https://t.co/sP0SZQFUgs">pic.twitter.com/sP0SZQFUgs</a>
— E. E. 🇹🇷 (@muhendisev) <a href="https://twitter.com/muhendisev/status/1716572047906668817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

In a statement the spokesperson for Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas said: "We in the Al-Qassam Brigades, through Egyptian-Qatari mediation, released the two detainees, Nurit Yitzhak and Yochved Lifshitz, knowing that the enemy has refused since last Friday to accept their receipt, and is still neglecting the file of its prisoners. We have decided to release them for compelling humanitarian and satisfactory reasons, despite the occupation’s crimes. For more than 8 violations of the procedures that were agreed upon with the mediator brothers that the occupation would adhere to during this day to complete the handover process."

<h2>Israel confirms release</h2>

The militant group had said on Saturday that they wanted to release the same two hostages, but that Israel declined to accept them, according to Times of Israel. Netanyahu’s office, at the time, said it would not respond to Hamas’ “propaganda lies.”

The Israeli PM's office later released a statement confirming that the former hostages were in Israeli custody&nbsp;and are making their way to a hospital in Israel especially set up for them, where they will be reunited with their families.&nbsp;

It also thanked&nbsp;Egypt "for its help" and the Red Cross "for its important life-saving role," adding that the "IDF and&nbsp;the security forces have worked hard in the last few days in all channels to bring about their release and to overcome the many difficulties set by Hamas."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-releases-two-american-hostages-from-gaza-649400">Hamas releases two American hostages from Gaza</a>

A report by Israel’s Channel 12 said that the families of 79-year-old Cooper and Lifshitz, 85, have been notified of their release from Hamas captivity, adding that their husbands remain in Gaza.

According to the report, both women were abducted from their homes in Nir Oz kibbutz.&nbsp;

<h2>Four hostages released from Gaza</h2>

Hamas has now released four female hostages from Gaza after the Palestinian militant group, on Friday (Oct 20), released a statement saying that it had released two American hostages.&nbsp;

Judith and Natalie Raanan were taken hostage from Kibbutz Nahal Oz during Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel. The mother-daughter duo lived in Chicago and were visiting Israel to celebrate a relative’s birthday.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
 
Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades said that the Palestinian militant group released two Israeli hostages, on Monday (Oct 23), who were being held in the Gaza Strip.

The spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades said that the Palestinian militant group released two Israeli hostages, on Monday (Oct 23), who were being held in the Gaza Strip. Former hostages Yocheved Lifshitz and Nurit Cooper have been handed over to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) custody, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office in a statement. Two more hostages released The two detainees were identified by Hamas as Nurit Yitzhak and Yochved Lifshitz. The step was taken following Egyptian-Qatari mediation and “compelling humanitarian” reasons, said the Hamas spokesperson in a statement. ALSO READ | US President Joe Biden dials American hostages released by Hamas Egyptian state media said that the two hostages who were freed by Hamas have arrived at Rafah border crossing. The report also claimed that the release was the result of intense Egyptian efforts. Additionally, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) took to X and said that they “facilitated the release of 2 more hostages” and transported “them out of Gaza this evening”. In the image of Al Qassam Brigades releasing 2 Israeli hostages, what attracted attention was the attitude of the hostages. The hostages even waved their hands. #Gaza #Palestine #Israel #TelAviv pic.twitter.com/sP0SZQFUgs — E. E. 🇹🇷 (@muhendisev) October 23, 2023 × In a statement the spokesperson for Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas said: "We in the Al-Qassam Brigades, through Egyptian-Qatari mediation, released the two detainees, Nurit Yitzhak and Yochved Lifshitz, knowing that the enemy has refused since last Friday to accept their receipt, and is still neglecting the file of its prisoners. We have decided to release them for compelling humanitarian and satisfactory reasons, despite the occupation’s crimes. For more than 8 violations of the procedures that were agreed upon with the mediator brothers that the occupation would adhere to during this day to complete the handover process." Israel confirms release The militant group had said on Saturday that they wanted to release the same two hostages, but that Israel declined to accept them, according to Times of Israel. Netanyahu’s office, at the time, said it would not respond to Hamas’ “propaganda lies.” The Israeli PM's office later released a statement confirming that the former hostages were in Israeli custody and are making their way to a hospital in Israel especially set up for them, where they will be reunited with their families. It also thanked Egypt "for its help" and the Red Cross "for its important life-saving role," adding that the "IDF and the security forces have worked hard in the last few days in all channels to bring about their release and to overcome the many difficulties set by Hamas." ALSO READ | Hamas releases two American hostages from Gaza A report by Israel’s Channel 12 said that the families of 79-year-old Cooper and Lifshitz, 85, have been notified of their release from Hamas captivity, adding that their husbands remain in Gaza. According to the report, both women were abducted from their homes in Nir Oz kibbutz. Four hostages released from Gaza Hamas has now released four female hostages from Gaza after the Palestinian militant group, on Friday (Oct 20), released a statement saying that it had released two American hostages. Judith and Natalie Raanan were taken hostage from Kibbutz Nahal Oz during Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel. The mother-daughter duo lived in Chicago and were visiting Israel to celebrate a relative’s birthday. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Israel-Hamas war: Hamas releases two more hostages from Gaza; Israel confirms their arrival

Several Palestinians, including children who were in the midst of fleeing to the southern Gaza Strip on an “evacuation route” that the Israeli army said would be safe, were killed in an air strike, claimed media reports citing witnesses and Hamas officials on Saturday (Oct 14).&nbsp;

This comes a day after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)&nbsp;dropped pamphlets across northern Gaza warning the densely populated region’s 1.1 million people to evacuate towards the south&nbsp;ahead of a possible Israeli ground assault targeting Hamas.

<h2>Israeli army’s orders</h2>

On Friday (Oct 13), the Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee had asked Gazans to head south of Wadi Gaza and said a safe “evacuation route” would not be targeted by Israeli forces before 8:00 pm (local time) on Friday.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH&nbsp;| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-heartwarming-video-shows-palestinian-journalist-playing-with-child-amid-israeli-airstrikes-on-gaza-646918">Heartwarming video shows Palestinian journalist playing with child amid Israeli airstrikes on Gaza</a>

Israeli military spokesperson Richard Hecht, on Saturday, said that there is a safe passage window between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm (local time) on the roads, down the Gaza coast and through the centre of the narrow Palestinian territory, which is about 40 kilometres long.&nbsp;

However, Hecht did not comment on how many days the passage window would remain open and acknowledged that “this is going to take time but we recommend people not to delay.”&nbsp;

Similarly, Adraee had asked Gazans to head south “for their own safety” on specified streets of Gaza until 4:00 pm (local time).&nbsp;

<h2>Gazans on ‘evacuation routes’ attacked</h2>

A report by the news agency AFP citing Hamas officials claimed that several people were killed while heading south before the 8:00 pm deadline, on Friday.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/true-humanitarian-crisis-gazans-walk-30-km-south-many-sheltering-at-al-shifa-hospital-reluctant-to-move-646463">Gaza student speaks to WION: People walking 30km to flee Israel stikes, many camping at hospital</a>

Additionally, a security source belonging to the Palestinian militant group in Gaza, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the news agency that “two cars were bombed next to the Kuwaiti Hospital south of Gaza City”.

A report by CNN citing videos it authenticated showed a scene of extensive destruction after a blast on Salah Al-Deen Street on Friday where a “number of bodies, including those of children, can be seen on a flat-bed trailer” which seemed like a vehicle being used to carry people away from Gaza City.&nbsp;

It was not immediately clear what caused the widespread devastation, said the American media outlet.&nbsp;

AFP citing Hamas’s health ministry and government media office said dozens of civilians heading to safety were killed in at least three locations Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

According to reports, the&nbsp;bombing killed&nbsp;a reported 70 people, including children, which the Hamas has blamed on Israel.

A report by the Guardian cited&nbsp;an analysis done by the Forensic Architecture investigative unit at the Palestinian human rights organisation, al-Haq which used aerial photos and social media posts&nbsp;to geolocate the site of the strike.&nbsp;

The British media report citing the visuals from the aftermath of the attack said there were&nbsp;12 dead bodies, most of whom were women and children. It added, that the youngest child was around two-years-old.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gazans-must-not-delay-evacuation-before-expected-offensive-starts-israel-646851">Gazans must not delay evacuation before expected offensive starts: Israel</a>

Speaking about the six-hour window, an IDF spokesperson told CNN that people in Gaza City “now know exactly what’s happening,” adding that the civilians were notified in Arabic and multiple languages on “every available” platform both electronic and non-electronic.

“Everyone in Gaza City knows that they need to go past Wadi Gaza,” said Major Doron Spielman.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Several Palestinians, including children who were in the midst of fleeing to the southern Gaza Strip on an “evacuation route” that the Israeli army said would be safe, were killed in an air strike, claimed media reports citing witnesses and Hamas officials on Saturday (Oct 14).

Several Palestinians, including children who were in the midst of fleeing to the southern Gaza Strip on an “evacuation route” that the Israeli army said would be safe, were killed in an air strike, claimed media reports citing witnesses and Hamas officials on Saturday (Oct 14). This comes a day after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) dropped pamphlets across northern Gaza warning the densely populated region’s 1.1 million people to evacuate towards the south ahead of a possible Israeli ground assault targeting Hamas. Israeli army’s orders On Friday (Oct 13), the Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee had asked Gazans to head south of Wadi Gaza and said a safe “evacuation route” would not be targeted by Israeli forces before 8:00 pm (local time) on Friday. ALSO WATCH | Heartwarming video shows Palestinian journalist playing with child amid Israeli airstrikes on Gaza Israeli military spokesperson Richard Hecht, on Saturday, said that there is a safe passage window between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm (local time) on the roads, down the Gaza coast and through the centre of the narrow Palestinian territory, which is about 40 kilometres long. However, Hecht did not comment on how many days the passage window would remain open and acknowledged that “this is going to take time but we recommend people not to delay.” Similarly, Adraee had asked Gazans to head south “for their own safety” on specified streets of Gaza until 4:00 pm (local time). Gazans on ‘evacuation routes’ attacked A report by the news agency AFP citing Hamas officials claimed that several people were killed while heading south before the 8:00 pm deadline, on Friday. ALSO READ | Gaza student speaks to WION: People walking 30km to flee Israel stikes, many camping at hospital Additionally, a security source belonging to the Palestinian militant group in Gaza, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the news agency that “two cars were bombed next to the Kuwaiti Hospital south of Gaza City”. A report by CNN citing videos it authenticated showed a scene of extensive destruction after a blast on Salah Al-Deen Street on Friday where a “number of bodies, including those of children, can be seen on a flat-bed trailer” which seemed like a vehicle being used to carry people away from Gaza City. It was not immediately clear what caused the widespread devastation, said the American media outlet. AFP citing Hamas’s health ministry and government media office said dozens of civilians heading to safety were killed in at least three locations Friday afternoon. According to reports, the bombing killed a reported 70 people, including children, which the Hamas has blamed on Israel. A report by the Guardian cited an analysis done by the Forensic Architecture investigative unit at the Palestinian human rights organisation, al-Haq which used aerial photos and social media posts to geolocate the site of the strike. The British media report citing the visuals from the aftermath of the attack said there were 12 dead bodies, most of whom were women and children. It added, that the youngest child was around two-years-old. ALSO READ | Gazans must not delay evacuation before expected offensive starts: Israel Speaking about the six-hour window, an IDF spokesperson told CNN that people in Gaza City “now know exactly what’s happening,” adding that the civilians were notified in Arabic and multiple languages on “every available” platform both electronic and non-electronic. “Everyone in Gaza City knows that they need to go past Wadi Gaza,” said Major Doron Spielman. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Israeli strikes 'kill' Gaza civilians, including children on ‘safe routes’: Reports

World Bank&nbsp;President&nbsp;Ajay Banga has expressed his concerns about the economic repercussions of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, referring to it as an "unnecessary global economic shock".&nbsp;

Speaking on the sidelines of the World Bank-International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Morocco, Banga stressed that the conflict has not only caused a humanitarian tragedy but also has economic implications that the world can ill afford.&nbsp;

"It's a humanitarian tragedy and it's an economic shock we don't need," Banga told Reuters, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of the conflict if it continues to escalate. He pointed out that the conflict threatens to hinder central banks' efforts to achieve soft landings in various economies if it spreads further.&nbsp;

Banga noted that central banks had been gaining confidence in the possibility of achieving a soft landing before the conflict erupted. However, he maintained that the ongoing situation makes it increasingly challenging for central banks to maintain stability in their economies. He emphasised that the conflict is an unwanted disruption that could have a lasting impact on the global economic landscape.&nbsp;

The World Bank President highlighted that, unlike the initial stages of Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year, the Israel-Gaza conflict does not have a direct impact on the exports of essential commodities such as oil, grains, and fertilisers.&nbsp;

However, Banga pointed out that the conflict's effects are transmitted through financial markets. The sudden rise of dollar assets in response to the conflict could disrupt economic stability. He noted that in recent months, there had been signs of improvement, with inflation decreasing and prices and wages stabilising. Markets had also adjusted to the idea of higher interest rates in the near future. However, another prolonged conflict could upset the dynamics of these positive developments.&nbsp;

While discussing the political aspects of the conflict, Banga mentioned that the European Union initially made a mistake by announcing a complete cut-off of aid to the Palestinian Territories in response to the Hamas attack on Israel. This decision was later reversed. Banga refrained from delving into the politics of the situation, focusing instead on the development aspect. He emphasised the importance of offering support to the affected areas once the conflict subsides.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

World Bank President Ajay Banga has expressed his concerns about the economic repercussions of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, referring to it as an "unnecessary global economic shock".

World Bank President Ajay Banga has expressed his concerns about the economic repercussions of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, referring to it as an "unnecessary global economic shock". Speaking on the sidelines of the World Bank-International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Morocco, Banga stressed that the conflict has not only caused a humanitarian tragedy but also has economic implications that the world can ill afford. "It's a humanitarian tragedy and it's an economic shock we don't need," Banga told Reuters, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of the conflict if it continues to escalate. He pointed out that the conflict threatens to hinder central banks' efforts to achieve soft landings in various economies if it spreads further. Banga noted that central banks had been gaining confidence in the possibility of achieving a soft landing before the conflict erupted. However, he maintained that the ongoing situation makes it increasingly challenging for central banks to maintain stability in their economies. He emphasised that the conflict is an unwanted disruption that could have a lasting impact on the global economic landscape. The World Bank President highlighted that, unlike the initial stages of Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year, the Israel-Gaza conflict does not have a direct impact on the exports of essential commodities such as oil, grains, and fertilisers. However, Banga pointed out that the conflict's effects are transmitted through financial markets. The sudden rise of dollar assets in response to the conflict could disrupt economic stability. He noted that in recent months, there had been signs of improvement, with inflation decreasing and prices and wages stabilising. Markets had also adjusted to the idea of higher interest rates in the near future. However, another prolonged conflict could upset the dynamics of these positive developments. While discussing the political aspects of the conflict, Banga mentioned that the European Union initially made a mistake by announcing a complete cut-off of aid to the Palestinian Territories in response to the Hamas attack on Israel. This decision was later reversed. Banga refrained from delving into the politics of the situation, focusing instead on the development aspect. He emphasised the importance of offering support to the affected areas once the conflict subsides. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

World Bank president expresses concern over Israel-Gaza conflict's economic impact 

Palestinian armed groups fired salvoes of rockets from Gaza into southern Israel on Tuesday after an Islamic Jihad leader died in Israeli custody following an 87-day hunger strike, the first such death in more than three decades.

Khader Adnan, who was awaiting trial, was found unconscious in his cell and taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead after efforts to revive him, Israel's Prisons Service said.

Hundreds of people took to the streets in blockaded Gaza and the occupied West Bank to rally in support of Adnan and mourn his death, which Palestinian leaders described as an assassination. In Gaza, an umbrella group of armed Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, launched two separate rocket barrages towards Israel.

Watch |&nbsp;45-year-old Islamic Jihad member Khader Adnan dies is Israeli custody

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/45-year-old-islamic-jihad-member-khader-adnan-dies-is-israeli-custody-588164/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Israeli military said at least three rockets were fired from Gaza in the hours after Adnan's death and a further 26 were launched later in the afternoon. Two landed in the southern city of Sderot, wounding three people, including a 25-year-old foreign national who Israel's ambulance service said sustained serious shrapnel wounds.

An Israeli Defence Force official said Israel would respond at a time and a place of its choosing.

Prime Minister Bejnamin Netanyahu held a meeting with security officials to assess the situation and the military said it was investigating how two rockets had penetrated the Iron Dome air defence system.

Since 2011, Adnan had conducted at least three hunger strikes in protest at detentions without charges by Israel. The tactic has been used by other Palestinian prisoners, sometimes en masse, but none had died since 1992.

Adnan's lawyer Jamil Al-Khatib and a doctor with a human rights group who recently met him accused Israeli authorities of withholding medical care.

"We demanded he be moved into a civilian hospital where he could be properly monitored. Unfortunately, such a demand was met by intransigence and rejection," Al-Khatib told Reuters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tinder-swipes-left-on-russia-to-exit-the-warring-nation-by-june-30-588252">Tinder 'swipes left' on Russia, to 'dump' the warring nation by June 30</a>

Adnan, 45, was a baker and a father of nine from Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Islamic Jihad sources said he was one of its political leaders. The faction has a limited West Bank presence but is the second most powerful armed group in Hamas-ruled Gaza, where Israeli forces fought a brief war against it last August.

Lina Qasem-Hassan of Physicians for Human Rights in Israel said she saw Adnan on April 23, at which point he had lost 40 kg (88 pounds) and was having trouble breathing but was conscious.

"His death could have been avoided," Qasem Hassan told Reuters, saying several Israeli hospitals had refused to admit Adnan after he made brief visits to their emergency rooms.

The Prisons Service said hospitalisation had not been an option as Adnan had declined "even a preliminary inspection".

'Fight is continuing'

Physicians for Human Rights said Israeli authorities had denied requests by Adnan and his family to visit him in prison.

Speaking from the family's home in the northern West Bank town of Arraba near Jenin, Adnan's wife, Randa Musa, said: "Our message to all the resistance groups is, we do not want the weapons that were not used to free the sheikh (Adnan) to be used after his death. We do not want to see any bloodshed."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-100000-refugees-have-fled-into-neighbouring-countries-number-could-rise-to-800000-un-588196">Sudan: 100,000 refugees have fled into neighbouring countries, number could rise to 800,000 - UN</a>

Adnan's 9-year-old son Ali led a march through Arraba. Perched on a man's shoulders, he chanted, "Khader, you a hero, your name shook the prison!" as dozens followed.

Tuesday's rocket barrages came almost a month after the last cross-border exchanges of fire between Israel and Gaza, which followed an Israeli police raid in the al-Aqsa mosque complex during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

"Our fight is continuing and the enemy will realise once again that its crimes will not pass without a response," Islamic Jihad, which preaches Israel's destruction, said in a statement.

Israel said it was cancelling a military drill that had been planned for the areas surrounding Gaza "pursuant to a situational assessment", and was putting staff in security prisons on heightened alert.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners Association, Adnan had been arrested by Israel 12 times, spending around eight years in prison, mostly under so-called "administrative detention" - or detention without charges.

Israel says such detentions are required when evidence cannot be revealed in court due to the need to keep intelligence sources secret. Palestinians and rights groups say they deny due process of law.

This time, Adnan was arrested and indicted in an Israeli military court on charges that included links to an outlawed group and incitement to violence, the Prisons Service said.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Palestinian armed groups fired salvoes of rockets from Gaza into southern Israel on Tuesday after an Islamic Jihad leader died in Israeli custody following an 87-day hunger strike, the first such death in more than three decades.

Palestinian armed groups fired salvoes of rockets from Gaza into southern Israel on Tuesday after an Islamic Jihad leader died in Israeli custody following an 87-day hunger strike, the first such death in more than three decades. Khader Adnan, who was awaiting trial, was found unconscious in his cell and taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead after efforts to revive him, Israel's Prisons Service said. Hundreds of people took to the streets in blockaded Gaza and the occupied West Bank to rally in support of Adnan and mourn his death, which Palestinian leaders described as an assassination. In Gaza, an umbrella group of armed Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, launched two separate rocket barrages towards Israel. Watch | 45-year-old Islamic Jihad member Khader Adnan dies is Israeli custody The Israeli military said at least three rockets were fired from Gaza in the hours after Adnan's death and a further 26 were launched later in the afternoon. Two landed in the southern city of Sderot, wounding three people, including a 25-year-old foreign national who Israel's ambulance service said sustained serious shrapnel wounds. An Israeli Defence Force official said Israel would respond at a time and a place of its choosing. Prime Minister Bejnamin Netanyahu held a meeting with security officials to assess the situation and the military said it was investigating how two rockets had penetrated the Iron Dome air defence system. Since 2011, Adnan had conducted at least three hunger strikes in protest at detentions without charges by Israel. The tactic has been used by other Palestinian prisoners, sometimes en masse, but none had died since 1992. Adnan's lawyer Jamil Al-Khatib and a doctor with a human rights group who recently met him accused Israeli authorities of withholding medical care. "We demanded he be moved into a civilian hospital where he could be properly monitored. Unfortunately, such a demand was met by intransigence and rejection," Al-Khatib told Reuters. Also read | Tinder 'swipes left' on Russia, to 'dump' the warring nation by June 30 Adnan, 45, was a baker and a father of nine from Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Islamic Jihad sources said he was one of its political leaders. The faction has a limited West Bank presence but is the second most powerful armed group in Hamas-ruled Gaza, where Israeli forces fought a brief war against it last August. Lina Qasem-Hassan of Physicians for Human Rights in Israel said she saw Adnan on April 23, at which point he had lost 40 kg (88 pounds) and was having trouble breathing but was conscious. "His death could have been avoided," Qasem Hassan told Reuters, saying several Israeli hospitals had refused to admit Adnan after he made brief visits to their emergency rooms. The Prisons Service said hospitalisation had not been an option as Adnan had declined "even a preliminary inspection". 'Fight is continuing' Physicians for Human Rights said Israeli authorities had denied requests by Adnan and his family to visit him in prison. Speaking from the family's home in the northern West Bank town of Arraba near Jenin, Adnan's wife, Randa Musa, said: "Our message to all the resistance groups is, we do not want the weapons that were not used to free the sheikh (Adnan) to be used after his death. We do not want to see any bloodshed." Also read | Sudan: 100,000 refugees have fled into neighbouring countries, number could rise to 800,000 - UN Adnan's 9-year-old son Ali led a march through Arraba. Perched on a man's shoulders, he chanted, "Khader, you a hero, your name shook the prison!" as dozens followed. Tuesday's rocket barrages came almost a month after the last cross-border exchanges of fire between Israel and Gaza, which followed an Israeli police raid in the al-Aqsa mosque complex during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. "Our fight is continuing and the enemy will realise once again that its crimes will not pass without a response," Islamic Jihad, which preaches Israel's destruction, said in a statement. Israel said it was cancelling a military drill that had been planned for the areas surrounding Gaza "pursuant to a situational assessment", and was putting staff in security prisons on heightened alert. According to the Palestinian Prisoners Association, Adnan had been arrested by Israel 12 times, spending around eight years in prison, mostly under so-called "administrative detention" - or detention without charges. Israel says such detentions are required when evidence cannot be revealed in court due to the need to keep intelligence sources secret. Palestinians and rights groups say they deny due process of law. This time, Adnan was arrested and indicted in an Israeli military court on charges that included links to an outlawed group and incitement to violence, the Prisons Service said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Rockets fired from Gaza after Palestinian hunger striker dies in Israeli custody

In response to Palestinian actions, Israeli jets launched airstrikes in Gaza overnight (from Thursday to Friday), the army said.

This was a retaliation for the actions of militants in the Palestinian territory.&nbsp;Reportedly, militants in the Palestinian territory set off arson balloons into southern Israel in the past few days, which angered the Israeli side.

Have a look |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/explosions-light-up-night-sky-in-gaza-city-391847">Explosions light up night sky in Gaza city</a>

"Over the past day, arson balloons were launched from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory," Israel’s military said in a statement. "In response... fighter jets struck military compounds and a rocket launch site belonging to the Hamas terror organisation."

These balloons are not harmless and are used to set farmland and bush around Gaza on fire. Israel forces launched a small retaliatory strike in the early hours of Wednesday. The second wave of airstrikes were launched overnight Thursday to Friday as the balloons from the Palestinian side continued.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-strikes-gaza-first-time-under-the-new-government-and-after-the-ceasefire-391754">Israel strikes Gaza, first time under the new government and after the ceasefire</a>

After the strikes, the Israel army chief, Aviv Kohavi, has ordered the forces to "increase the IDF's (Israeli Defense Forces') readiness and preparedness for a variety of scenarios including a resumption of hostilities."

The strikes made this week were the first under the leadership of Israel’s new Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett.

In response to Palestinian actions, Israeli jets launched airstrikes in Gaza overnight (from Thursday to Friday), the army said. This was a retaliation for the actions of militants in the Palestinian territory.

In response to Palestinian actions, Israeli jets launched airstrikes in Gaza overnight (from Thursday to Friday), the army said. This was a retaliation for the actions of militants in the Palestinian territory. Reportedly, militants in the Palestinian territory set off arson balloons into southern Israel in the past few days, which angered the Israeli side. Have a look | Explosions light up night sky in Gaza city "Over the past day, arson balloons were launched from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory," Israel’s military said in a statement. "In response... fighter jets struck military compounds and a rocket launch site belonging to the Hamas terror organisation." These balloons are not harmless and are used to set farmland and bush around Gaza on fire. Israel forces launched a small retaliatory strike in the early hours of Wednesday. The second wave of airstrikes were launched overnight Thursday to Friday as the balloons from the Palestinian side continued. Also read | Israel strikes Gaza, first time under the new government and after the ceasefire After the strikes, the Israel army chief, Aviv Kohavi, has ordered the forces to "increase the IDF's (Israeli Defense Forces') readiness and preparedness for a variety of scenarios including a resumption of hostilities." The strikes made this week were the first under the leadership of Israel’s new Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett.

Israel carries out fresh airstrike in response to Palestinian arson balloons

The United Nations Security Council on Saturday urged both Israel and Hamas to stick to the ceasefire, in the council’s first&nbsp;statement on the violence that erupted on May 10. In its statement, the UNSC called for “full adherence to the ceasefire” while stressing on "the immediate need for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly in Gaza”.

The United States delegation supported the statement this time after blocking previous drafts. A paragraph condemning the violence has been removed, for the question of blame could not be answered.

The earlier draft said the following - “Security Council members condemned all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror, as well as acts of provocation, incitement and destruction”.

On Saturday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry thanked the US for “continued support” for Israel’s “right to defend its citizens”. In addition, Israel placed “full blame” on Hamas for firing thousands of rockets at Israel.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/ceasefire-between-israel-and-gaza-holds-as-egyptian-mediators-eye-long-term-peace-386713" hreflang="en">Ceasefire between Israel and Gaza holds as Egyptian mediators eye long-term peace</a>

The US delegation has been a strong supporter of Israel at the United Nations. Earlier, it had rejected a French draft which demanded an end to violence while calling for distribution of humanitarian aid through Gaza.

In the final statement, which was proposed by China, Norway and Tunisia, the wording goes as follows - “[UN] mourned the loss of civilian lives resulting from the violence."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the global community to develop a "robust package of support for a swift, sustainable reconstruction and recovery." The Council added how a comprehensive peace must be reached in the region where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace.

The statement also recognised “the important role” played by Egypt and other regional countries in maintaining peace.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/israel-hamas-conflict-now-the-narrative-war-begins-amid-ceasefire-386592" hreflang="en">Israel-Hamas conflict: Now, the narrative war begins amid ceasefire</a>

(With inputs from agencies)

The United Nations Security Council on Saturday urged both Israel and Hamas to stick to the ceasefire, in the council’s first statement on the violence that erupted on May 10.

The United Nations Security Council on Saturday urged both Israel and Hamas to stick to the ceasefire, in the council’s first statement on the violence that erupted on May 10. In its statement, the UNSC called for “full adherence to the ceasefire” while stressing on "the immediate need for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly in Gaza”. The United States delegation supported the statement this time after blocking previous drafts. A paragraph condemning the violence has been removed, for the question of blame could not be answered. The earlier draft said the following - “Security Council members condemned all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror, as well as acts of provocation, incitement and destruction”. On Saturday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry thanked the US for “continued support” for Israel’s “right to defend its citizens”. In addition, Israel placed “full blame” on Hamas for firing thousands of rockets at Israel. Also read: Ceasefire between Israel and Gaza holds as Egyptian mediators eye long-term peace The US delegation has been a strong supporter of Israel at the United Nations. Earlier, it had rejected a French draft which demanded an end to violence while calling for distribution of humanitarian aid through Gaza. In the final statement, which was proposed by China, Norway and Tunisia, the wording goes as follows - “[UN] mourned the loss of civilian lives resulting from the violence." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the global community to develop a "robust package of support for a swift, sustainable reconstruction and recovery." The Council added how a comprehensive peace must be reached in the region where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace. The statement also recognised “the important role” played by Egypt and other regional countries in maintaining peace. Also read: Israel-Hamas conflict: Now, the narrative war begins amid ceasefire (With inputs from agencies)

UNSC calls for 'full adherence' to Israel-Gaza ceasefire

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip held ground on Saturday. Officials said that Egyptian mediators are interacting with both the sides on establishing long-term peace.

The ceasefire came into force on Friday after 11 days of cross-border shelling which caused major destruction in Gaza and Israel. International players were worried that the fighting would escalate into a regional conflict.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-conflict-hamas-chief-claims-victory-after-truce-386656/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

With US support, Egypt mediated the halt to the fighting. On Friday, Egypt sent a delegation to Israel to discuss ways of easing the ceasefire including aid for those affected in Gaza, Reuters cited Hamas officials as saying. The officials have been trying to facilitate talks between Israel and Gaza with the talks continuing on Saturday.

Even after the ceasefire, Israeli police and Palestinian protesters clashed in Jerusalem on Friday.&nbsp;But no rockets were launched from Gaza or Israel on Saturday morning.

On Thursday, US President Joe Biden said that Washington would work with the United Nations to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza.&nbsp;The agency also has safeguards against the money being used to arm Hamas.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/israel-hamas-conflict-now-the-narrative-war-begins-amid-ceasefire-386592" hreflang="en">Israel-Hamas conflict: Now, the narrative war begins amid ceasefire</a>

The Palestinian death toll has been put at 248, including 66 children according to medical officers in Gaza.

According to Israel, over 200 Hamas fighters and members of the allied faction Islamic Jihad were killed by its strikes.&nbsp;

In addition, it claimed that 17 civilian fatalities in Gaza were a result of militants’ rockets malfunctioning.&nbsp; In Israel, attacks from Palestine have killed 13 people including two children, three foreign workers and a soldier.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip held ground on Saturday. Officials said that Egyptian mediators are interacting with both the sides on establishing long-term peace.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip held ground on Saturday. Officials said that Egyptian mediators are interacting with both the sides on establishing long-term peace. The ceasefire came into force on Friday after 11 days of cross-border shelling which caused major destruction in Gaza and Israel. International players were worried that the fighting would escalate into a regional conflict. With US support, Egypt mediated the halt to the fighting. On Friday, Egypt sent a delegation to Israel to discuss ways of easing the ceasefire including aid for those affected in Gaza, Reuters cited Hamas officials as saying. The officials have been trying to facilitate talks between Israel and Gaza with the talks continuing on Saturday. Even after the ceasefire, Israeli police and Palestinian protesters clashed in Jerusalem on Friday. But no rockets were launched from Gaza or Israel on Saturday morning. On Thursday, US President Joe Biden said that Washington would work with the United Nations to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza. The agency also has safeguards against the money being used to arm Hamas. Also read: Israel-Hamas conflict: Now, the narrative war begins amid ceasefire The Palestinian death toll has been put at 248, including 66 children according to medical officers in Gaza. According to Israel, over 200 Hamas fighters and members of the allied faction Islamic Jihad were killed by its strikes. In addition, it claimed that 17 civilian fatalities in Gaza were a result of militants’ rockets malfunctioning. In Israel, attacks from Palestine have killed 13 people including two children, three foreign workers and a soldier.

Ceasefire between Israel and Gaza holds as Egyptian mediators eye long-term peace

The owner of a building in Gaza which was destroyed in Israeli airstrike is raising a complaint&nbsp;with the International Criminal Court. The building in question is called Jala Tower, which was destroyed on May 15. The building housed the offices of Associated Press and Al Jazeera.

According to the owner Jawad Mehdi, the flattening of the building counts as a “war crime”. "The owner of this building, who is a Palestinian, has mandated his lawyers to file a war crime complaint with the International Criminal Court,"&nbsp; the man’s lawyer Gilles Devers said in a statement.

In addition, Devers told AFP that Israel could show “no military objective” for the attack. "We hear a lot that this tower could have been destroyed because there was equipment or an armed resistance team. This is something that we totally deny after studying the case," Devers added.

The lawyer added how international law states that civilian property may be harmed only if it is used for military purposes, which was “not the case”. The complaint would be forwarded formally to the court by email on Friday.

After the attack, Israel claimed that Hamas military intelligence units were operating from the building. At the time, an Israeli intelligence officer told Mehdi that he had an hour to evacuate the building, before a missile struck it.

Once complaints to ICC are submitted, it is not under any obligation to take all into account and can independently decide which cases to forward to court judges.

The owner of a building in Gaza which was destroyed in Israeli airstrike is raising a complaint with the International Criminal Court. The building in question is called Jala Tower, which was destroyed on May 15.

The owner of a building in Gaza which was destroyed in Israeli airstrike is raising a complaint with the International Criminal Court. The building in question is called Jala Tower, which was destroyed on May 15. The building housed the offices of Associated Press and Al Jazeera. According to the owner Jawad Mehdi, the flattening of the building counts as a “war crime”. "The owner of this building, who is a Palestinian, has mandated his lawyers to file a war crime complaint with the International Criminal Court," the man’s lawyer Gilles Devers said in a statement. In addition, Devers told AFP that Israel could show “no military objective” for the attack. "We hear a lot that this tower could have been destroyed because there was equipment or an armed resistance team. This is something that we totally deny after studying the case," Devers added. The lawyer added how international law states that civilian property may be harmed only if it is used for military purposes, which was “not the case”. The complaint would be forwarded formally to the court by email on Friday. After the attack, Israel claimed that Hamas military intelligence units were operating from the building. At the time, an Israeli intelligence officer told Mehdi that he had an hour to evacuate the building, before a missile struck it. Once complaints to ICC are submitted, it is not under any obligation to take all into account and can independently decide which cases to forward to court judges.

Owner of destroyed Gaza building which housed media offices files ICC complaint

In the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, the gap between truth and falsehoods is growing wider by the day. A lot of credit for this goes to social media where misinformation is flourishing with fake videos and images going viral.

A video showed a truck-based missile launcher moving down a civilian area. This video was first shared by a US-based pro-Israeli account and has since been shared repeatedly with the claim that it's from Gaza. It claims that Hamas is using humans as a shield against Israel. But the video is fake.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Here you see a Hamas rocket launcher parking in a civilian area to use humans as shields. Let no one fool you as to the true intent of Hamas - they want death of Israelis even if it means their own die too.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IStandWithIsrael?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IStandWithIsrael</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HamasTerrorists?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HamasTerrorists</a> <a href="https://t.co/LoF6USaBGM">pic.twitter.com/LoF6USaBGM</a>
— SZR (@SZR_London) <a href="https://twitter.com/SZR_London/status/1392509392130543621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

It's not even from Gaza, but finds origins in northern Israel and was shared in November 2018 by an Israeli news agency. These are Israeli trucks that got lost on their way and entered a village. The account that posted this video has taken it down saying “please accept my apology for the bad info”.

In another case, a video&nbsp;claims to show Israelis celebrating as a fire rages at the Al-Aqsa mosque. This video is being shared widely by pro-Palestinian accounts. They say Jews harmed their mosque and danced as it burned!

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Hundreds of Jewish settlers cheered and danced as a tree inside Masjid Al Aqsa was set on fire by occupying Israeli forces’ stun grenades yesterday. <a href="https://t.co/nhJgHW3IpP">pic.twitter.com/nhJgHW3IpP</a>
— 5Pillars (@5Pillarsuk) <a href="https://twitter.com/5Pillarsuk/status/1392070739277357064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The video is misleading for the mosque was never on fire, but a tree around it did due to fireworks during Jerusalem Day celebrations on May 10. Both the image and&nbsp;the video are still being widely shared on social media even in India. This misinformation and these lies could prove to be potentially deadly for both Israelis and Palestinians.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-fake-news-is-fueling-the-israel-palestine-conflict-385906/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Fatalities on the rise

The conflict is far from over and the skies are still burning on both sides with the death toll rising between May 10-17. A total of 12 people died in Israel - 10 were killed in missile attacks and two in civil unrest including a child.

In addition, 796 people have been injured. During the same period, at least 212 people have died in Palestine including 61 children and 34 women, three of whom were pregnant. Over 6,000 people have been injured in eight days of conflict. The timing for the conflict couldn’t be worse given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Gaza has only one lab to test virus cases. The health ministry says it has been destroyed in an airstrike.

In Israel, two foreign workers from Thailand have been killed in rockets fired from Gaza. Israel claims to have destroyed a rocket launching site used by Hamas in the Gaza strip. And Hamas claims to have struck Israel's Urim military base - vowing to strike more military facilities.

Amid this back and forth, both sides are failing to justify their actions. Last Saturday, Israel struck a building that housed two major media organisations - The Associated Press and Al Jazeera. Both their offices were destroyed in an air strike. Israel claimed that Hamas was using the building for its operations and promised to provide evidence for this. The Associated Press, based out of the US, first said that Israel hasn't provided it with any such evidence.&nbsp;On Tuesday evening, the US State Secretary said that “we have received some information, but it's not something I&nbsp;can comment on”.

International actions and consequences

The US is blocking a UN statement on the conflict calling for a ceasefire. The Israeli media says it's because the statement failed to condemn Hamas. Washington says it's because a ceasefire ultimately depends on the two parties involved, with or without a statement.

Reports say that the ongoing clashes have also led to a rise in anti-semitism. The UK’s Community Security Trust, a charity which looks after the safety of Jews in England says that there has been a five-fold increase in reports of anti-semitic incidents in recent days.

According to the charity, at least 86 anti-semitic incidents were reported in the UK between May 8-17. A Pakistan-based freelance writer working for the CNN put out the following tweet on Sunday - “The world today needs a Hitler”, a brazen display of hatred towards Jews.

The company in question had cut all ties with this person. Meanwhile, the international leadership remains divided. The starkest division is being seen in the Arab world.

Many Arab nations are walking a diplomatic tightrope especially countries like Morocco, Sudan and Bahrain which had recently normalised ties with Israel. Now, they have condemned the clashes but said very little about the situation in Gaza.

On the other hand, countries like Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, the Maldives, and Iran have vociferously accused Israel of terrorising Palestinians. The President of Egypt Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, along with the President of France Emmanuel Macron discussed mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine. Reports say both countries also intend to seek the support of Jordan.

“For me, it is part of the process of achieving a ceasefire as quickly as possible, which is obviously what we want, and the construction of a possible path for discussions between the various parties involved. In this respect, we have decided to have a discussion in the next few days with president Sisi and the king of Jordan to try to see together how we can make concrete proposals on this path”, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

It may still take a while for the mediation process to begin. Until then, as we watch the developments, it's imperative that we don't feed the hostility with misinformation and provocative fake news.

In the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, the gap between truth and falsehoods is growing wider by the day. A lot of credit for this goes to social media where misinformation is flourishing with fake videos and images going viral.

In the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, the gap between truth and falsehoods is growing wider by the day. A lot of credit for this goes to social media where misinformation is flourishing with fake videos and images going viral. A video showed a truck-based missile launcher moving down a civilian area. This video was first shared by a US-based pro-Israeli account and has since been shared repeatedly with the claim that it's from Gaza. It claims that Hamas is using humans as a shield against Israel. But the video is fake. Here you see a Hamas rocket launcher parking in a civilian area to use humans as shields. Let no one fool you as to the true intent of Hamas - they want death of Israelis even if it means their own die too.#IStandWithIsrael #HamasTerrorists pic.twitter.com/LoF6USaBGM — SZR (@SZR_London) May 12, 2021 × It's not even from Gaza, but finds origins in northern Israel and was shared in November 2018 by an Israeli news agency. These are Israeli trucks that got lost on their way and entered a village. The account that posted this video has taken it down saying “please accept my apology for the bad info”. In another case, a video claims to show Israelis celebrating as a fire rages at the Al-Aqsa mosque. This video is being shared widely by pro-Palestinian accounts. They say Jews harmed their mosque and danced as it burned! Hundreds of Jewish settlers cheered and danced as a tree inside Masjid Al Aqsa was set on fire by occupying Israeli forces’ stun grenades yesterday. pic.twitter.com/nhJgHW3IpP — 5Pillars (@5Pillarsuk) May 11, 2021 × The video is misleading for the mosque was never on fire, but a tree around it did due to fireworks during Jerusalem Day celebrations on May 10. Both the image and the video are still being widely shared on social media even in India. This misinformation and these lies could prove to be potentially deadly for both Israelis and Palestinians. Fatalities on the rise The conflict is far from over and the skies are still burning on both sides with the death toll rising between May 10-17. A total of 12 people died in Israel - 10 were killed in missile attacks and two in civil unrest including a child. In addition, 796 people have been injured. During the same period, at least 212 people have died in Palestine including 61 children and 34 women, three of whom were pregnant. Over 6,000 people have been injured in eight days of conflict. The timing for the conflict couldn’t be worse given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Gaza has only one lab to test virus cases. The health ministry says it has been destroyed in an airstrike. In Israel, two foreign workers from Thailand have been killed in rockets fired from Gaza. Israel claims to have destroyed a rocket launching site used by Hamas in the Gaza strip. And Hamas claims to have struck Israel's Urim military base - vowing to strike more military facilities. Amid this back and forth, both sides are failing to justify their actions. Last Saturday, Israel struck a building that housed two major media organisations - The Associated Press and Al Jazeera. Both their offices were destroyed in an air strike. Israel claimed that Hamas was using the building for its operations and promised to provide evidence for this. The Associated Press, based out of the US, first said that Israel hasn't provided it with any such evidence. On Tuesday evening, the US State Secretary said that “we have received some information, but it's not something I can comment on”. International actions and consequences The US is blocking a UN statement on the conflict calling for a ceasefire. The Israeli media says it's because the statement failed to condemn Hamas. Washington says it's because a ceasefire ultimately depends on the two parties involved, with or without a statement. Reports say that the ongoing clashes have also led to a rise in anti-semitism. The UK’s Community Security Trust, a charity which looks after the safety of Jews in England says that there has been a five-fold increase in reports of anti-semitic incidents in recent days. According to the charity, at least 86 anti-semitic incidents were reported in the UK between May 8-17. A Pakistan-based freelance writer working for the CNN put out the following tweet on Sunday - “The world today needs a Hitler”, a brazen display of hatred towards Jews. The company in question had cut all ties with this person. Meanwhile, the international leadership remains divided. The starkest division is being seen in the Arab world. Many Arab nations are walking a diplomatic tightrope especially countries like Morocco, Sudan and Bahrain which had recently normalised ties with Israel. Now, they have condemned the clashes but said very little about the situation in Gaza. On the other hand, countries like Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, the Maldives, and Iran have vociferously accused Israel of terrorising Palestinians. The President of Egypt Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, along with the President of France Emmanuel Macron discussed mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine. Reports say both countries also intend to seek the support of Jordan. “For me, it is part of the process of achieving a ceasefire as quickly as possible, which is obviously what we want, and the construction of a possible path for discussions between the various parties involved. In this respect, we have decided to have a discussion in the next few days with president Sisi and the king of Jordan to try to see together how we can make concrete proposals on this path”, French President Emmanuel Macron said. It may still take a while for the mediation process to begin. Until then, as we watch the developments, it's imperative that we don't feed the hostility with misinformation and provocative fake news.

How misinformation on social media is worsening Israel-Gaza conflict

Fighting between Israel and Hamas became deadly again on Tuesday after fresh fatalities were reported. Cross-border fighting between Israel and Hamas forces has led to the deaths of 213 Palestinians. This includes 61 children and 36 women, according to data from Gaza’s health ministry.

The death toll on the Israeli side rose to 12 when a volley of rockets Hamas fired at the southern Eshkol region killed two Thai nationals working in a factory and wounded several others, police said.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/palestines-envoy-to-india-adnan-abualhayjaa-speaks-on-the-palestine-israel-issue-385772/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Israel seems to be in no hurry to announce a ceasefire and has vowed to continue attacks against the armed groups Hamas as well as Islamic Jihad.&nbsp;

On Monday, United States President Joe Biden urged both sides to embrace a ceasefire, a call that has not been taken very seriously so far. World powers have urged for both the sides to end the conflict and to embrace a ceasefire to end what is been dubbed as the most deadly conflict in years.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/under-pressure-biden-works-for-ceasefire-in-israel-gaza-violence-385746">Under pressure, Biden works for ceasefire in Israel-Gaza violence&nbsp;</a>

The Israeli military was cited by Reuters as claiming that its troops recently shot dead a Palestinian who charged at them with a gun and improvised explosives in West Bank. Joe Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, and reportedly said that Israel has the right to defend itself against rocket attacks, but also urged them to protect civialians.&nbsp;

Brigadier-General Hidai Zilberman of the Israeli military said that their forces would continue to operate in Gaza as per a target list devised for the next 24 hours.

"The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) is not talking about a ceasefire. We're focussed on the firing," Zilberman told Army Radio.

In pictures: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pictures-indonesia-backs-gaza-as-israel-pounds-back-385787">Indonesia backs Gaza as Israel pounds back</a>

(With inputs from agencies)

Fighting between Israel and Hamas became deadly again on Tuesday after fresh fatalities were reported. Cross-border fighting between Israel and Hamas forces has led to the deaths of 213 Palestinians.

Fighting between Israel and Hamas became deadly again on Tuesday after fresh fatalities were reported. Cross-border fighting between Israel and Hamas forces has led to the deaths of 213 Palestinians. This includes 61 children and 36 women, according to data from Gaza’s health ministry. The death toll on the Israeli side rose to 12 when a volley of rockets Hamas fired at the southern Eshkol region killed two Thai nationals working in a factory and wounded several others, police said. Israel seems to be in no hurry to announce a ceasefire and has vowed to continue attacks against the armed groups Hamas as well as Islamic Jihad. On Monday, United States President Joe Biden urged both sides to embrace a ceasefire, a call that has not been taken very seriously so far. World powers have urged for both the sides to end the conflict and to embrace a ceasefire to end what is been dubbed as the most deadly conflict in years. Also read: Under pressure, Biden works for ceasefire in Israel-Gaza violence The Israeli military was cited by Reuters as claiming that its troops recently shot dead a Palestinian who charged at them with a gun and improvised explosives in West Bank. Joe Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, and reportedly said that Israel has the right to defend itself against rocket attacks, but also urged them to protect civialians. Brigadier-General Hidai Zilberman of the Israeli military said that their forces would continue to operate in Gaza as per a target list devised for the next 24 hours. "The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) is not talking about a ceasefire. We're focussed on the firing," Zilberman told Army Radio. In pictures: Indonesia backs Gaza as Israel pounds back (With inputs from agencies)

'Not talking about ceasefire': Death toll climbs as Hamas fires more rockets at Israel

Four men were arrested in London recently for shouting anti-semitic slogans from a car. The police probed the incident after videos on social media showed the men making the remarks.&nbsp; These men belonged to a group that showed up with the Palestinian flags decorated on their cars.

As the horde of cars arrived, one person could be seeing shouting abuses through a megaphone. Sky News reported that the events took place in north London’s Finchley Road.

Currently, Israel and Gaza are involved in a violent clash which has led to the deaths of almost 200 people, majority of them from Gaza. Both the territories are firing rockets and the conflict shows no signs of abating. The ongoing crisis marks the worst violence the region has seen in many years.

197 Palestinians including 58 children and 34 women have died in the conflict so far. In Israel, 10 people including two children have been reported dead.

"Officers investigating a video which appeared to show antisemitic abuse being shouted from a car in north London have made four arrests”, Sky News quoted a statement from Scotland Yard as saying.

On Saturday, thousands of people marched through London to the gates of the Israeli embassy to protest against the ongoing violence.&nbsp; People are also protesting in other cities in the United Kingdom and Ireland against the violence

"Police received reports of people shouting antisemitic abuse from a car travelling within a convoy of vehicles through the St John's Wood area on the afternoon of Sunday, May 16”, the Scotland Yard statement added.

According to Scotland Yard, the car was traced to the A40 in Hillingdon. A police helicopter was then deployed. Eventually, officers were able to stop the car at 6.30 pm local time.

Four men were arrested in London recently for shouting anti-semitic slogans from a car. The police probed the incident after videos on social media showed the men making the remarks.

Four men were arrested in London recently for shouting anti-semitic slogans from a car. The police probed the incident after videos on social media showed the men making the remarks. These men belonged to a group that showed up with the Palestinian flags decorated on their cars. As the horde of cars arrived, one person could be seeing shouting abuses through a megaphone. Sky News reported that the events took place in north London’s Finchley Road. Currently, Israel and Gaza are involved in a violent clash which has led to the deaths of almost 200 people, majority of them from Gaza. Both the territories are firing rockets and the conflict shows no signs of abating. The ongoing crisis marks the worst violence the region has seen in many years. 197 Palestinians including 58 children and 34 women have died in the conflict so far. In Israel, 10 people including two children have been reported dead. "Officers investigating a video which appeared to show antisemitic abuse being shouted from a car in north London have made four arrests”, Sky News quoted a statement from Scotland Yard as saying. On Saturday, thousands of people marched through London to the gates of the Israeli embassy to protest against the ongoing violence. People are also protesting in other cities in the United Kingdom and Ireland against the violence "Police received reports of people shouting antisemitic abuse from a car travelling within a convoy of vehicles through the St John's Wood area on the afternoon of Sunday, May 16”, the Scotland Yard statement added. According to Scotland Yard, the car was traced to the A40 in Hillingdon. A police helicopter was then deployed. Eventually, officers were able to stop the car at 6.30 pm local time.

London: Four men arrested for shouting anti-semitic slogans from car

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Israel and Palestine to stop the ongoing war and warned this could lead to an "uncontainable" crisis.

"Fighting must stop. It must stop immediately," Guterres said at a Security Council session. "It has the potential to unleash an uncontainable security and humanitarian crisis and to further foster extremism, not only in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel, but in the region as a whole."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-3000-rockets-fired-from-gaza-towards-israel-army-claims-385423" hreflang="en">Nearly 3,000 rockets fired from Gaza towards Israel, army claims</a>

Calling this "senseless", he said the violence from both sides is "utterly appalling" as more than 200 people have lost their lives in the violent encounters between the Israeli forces and Hamas group.

"This senseless cycle of bloodshed, terror and destruction must stop immediately,"&nbsp;he said. "Rockets and mortars on one side and aerial and artillery bombardments on the other must stop.&nbsp;I appeal to all parties to heed this call."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-the-story-of-jerusalem-385257">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-the-story-of-jerusalem-385257/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

He has also voiced his concerns against the recent attack on a high-rise building in Gaza that housed offices of media companies Associated press and Al-Jazeera.

"Journalists must be allowed to work free of fear and harassment. The destruction of media offices in Gaza is extremely concerning," he said.

He also talked about the danger from the rise of extremist Jewish movements marching against the Palestinians.

"In Israel, violence by vigilante-style groups and mobs has added a further horrendous dimension to an already deteriorating crisis," Guterres said. "Leaders on all sides have a responsibility to curb inflammatory rhetoric and calm the rising tensions."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Israel and Palestine to stop the ongoing war and warned this could lead to an "uncontainable" crisis. "Fighting must stop.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Israel and Palestine to stop the ongoing war and warned this could lead to an "uncontainable" crisis. "Fighting must stop. It must stop immediately," Guterres said at a Security Council session. "It has the potential to unleash an uncontainable security and humanitarian crisis and to further foster extremism, not only in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel, but in the region as a whole." Also read | Nearly 3,000 rockets fired from Gaza towards Israel, army claims Calling this "senseless", he said the violence from both sides is "utterly appalling" as more than 200 people have lost their lives in the violent encounters between the Israeli forces and Hamas group. "This senseless cycle of bloodshed, terror and destruction must stop immediately," he said. "Rockets and mortars on one side and aerial and artillery bombardments on the other must stop. I appeal to all parties to heed this call." Watch | He has also voiced his concerns against the recent attack on a high-rise building in Gaza that housed offices of media companies Associated press and Al-Jazeera. "Journalists must be allowed to work free of fear and harassment. The destruction of media offices in Gaza is extremely concerning," he said. He also talked about the danger from the rise of extremist Jewish movements marching against the Palestinians. "In Israel, violence by vigilante-style groups and mobs has added a further horrendous dimension to an already deteriorating crisis," Guterres said. "Leaders on all sides have a responsibility to curb inflammatory rhetoric and calm the rising tensions."

UN chief condemns 'senseless' attacks of Israel-Palestine; warns 'uncontainable' crisis

With the escalation of violence between Israel and Gaza underway, the home of Hamas’ chief was recently bombed by Israeli forces. Early on Sunday, Israeli forces bombed the home while Hamas fired rockets at Tel Aviv as the conflict runs into its seventh day.

Health officials said that four Palestinians were killed in air strikes by Israel across the coastal area. Many others were injured as well. The sound of bomb sirens roared in Tel Aviv and the city of Beersheba as people ran to protect themselves against incoming rockets.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-the-story-of-jerusalem-385257/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Since the violence began on Monday, 149 people have died in Palestine, including 41 children, health officials said. Israel has reported 10 deaths including two children.

Currently, diplomats from the United States, United Nations and Egypt are attempting to restore peace but little progress has been made so far.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/biden-calls-netanyahu-reaffirms-us-support-for-israels-right-to-defend-itself-against-hamas-other-terror-groups-385300" hreflang="en">Biden calls Netanyahu, reaffirms US support for Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas, other terror groups</a>

Both Israel and Hamas have pledged to continue firing into each others territories. Recently, Israel destroyed a 12-storey building which houses the offices of Associated Press and Al Jazeera.

The Israel military insists that the al-Jala building remained a real military target with Hamas offices and that warnings were sent out to civilians to leave the building before the attack. "We have had no indication Hamas was in the building or active in the building," AP said in a statement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/israeli-airstrikes-in-gaza-destroy-highrise-housing-al-jazeera-associated-press-offices-385245" hreflang="en">Israeli airstrikes in Gaza destroy highrise housing Al-Jazeera, Associated Press offices</a>

Following the destruction of the building, Hamas fired rockets at Tel Aviv and other Israeli towns on Sunday. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Saturday said that the country was” still in the midst of this operation, it is still not over and this operation will continue as long as necessary."

Many airstrikes were launched by Israel early on Sunday, including one targeting the home of Yehya Al-Sinwar who has headed the political and military wings of Hamas in Gaza since 2017. Another Israeli airstrike left a Gazan neurologist dead. His wife and daughter were also wounded in the strike.

With the escalation of violence between Israel and Gaza underway, the home of Hamas’ chief was recently bombed by Israeli forces. Early on Sunday, Israeli forces bombed the home while Hamas fired rockets at Tel Aviv as the conflict runs into its seventh day.

With the escalation of violence between Israel and Gaza underway, the home of Hamas’ chief was recently bombed by Israeli forces. Early on Sunday, Israeli forces bombed the home while Hamas fired rockets at Tel Aviv as the conflict runs into its seventh day. Health officials said that four Palestinians were killed in air strikes by Israel across the coastal area. Many others were injured as well. The sound of bomb sirens roared in Tel Aviv and the city of Beersheba as people ran to protect themselves against incoming rockets. Since the violence began on Monday, 149 people have died in Palestine, including 41 children, health officials said. Israel has reported 10 deaths including two children. Currently, diplomats from the United States, United Nations and Egypt are attempting to restore peace but little progress has been made so far. Also read: Biden calls Netanyahu, reaffirms US support for Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas, other terror groups Both Israel and Hamas have pledged to continue firing into each others territories. Recently, Israel destroyed a 12-storey building which houses the offices of Associated Press and Al Jazeera. The Israel military insists that the al-Jala building remained a real military target with Hamas offices and that warnings were sent out to civilians to leave the building before the attack. "We have had no indication Hamas was in the building or active in the building," AP said in a statement. Also read: Israeli airstrikes in Gaza destroy highrise housing Al-Jazeera, Associated Press offices Following the destruction of the building, Hamas fired rockets at Tel Aviv and other Israeli towns on Sunday. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Saturday said that the country was” still in the midst of this operation, it is still not over and this operation will continue as long as necessary." Many airstrikes were launched by Israel early on Sunday, including one targeting the home of Yehya Al-Sinwar who has headed the political and military wings of Hamas in Gaza since 2017. Another Israeli airstrike left a Gazan neurologist dead. His wife and daughter were also wounded in the strike.

Israel bombs home of Hamas chief in Gaza; violence shows no signs of abating

Exchanges of fire triggered by Israel's targeted killing of a top militant in Gaza raged for a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-strikes-gaza-two-more-palestinians-killed-death-toll-rises-to-18-261808">second day Wednesday</a> and showed little sign of easing, with 22 Palestinians killed.

Fresh rocket barrages were fired at Israel, which responded with strikes on what it said were Islamic Jihad militant sites and rocket-launching squads in the Gaza Strip.

Air raid sirens wailed and fireballs exploded as air defence missiles intercepted rockets, sending Israelis rushing to bomb shelters.

In Gaza, residents surveyed damage and mourned the dead outside a mortuary and at funerals.

UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov was expected in Cairo for talks on halting the fighting, a diplomatic source said, but a source close to the discussions warned the risk of further escalation remained high.

In comments Wednesday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Islamic Jihad must stop its stop rocket attacks or "absorb more and more blows".

He reiterated his warning that "this could take time" and said Israel would respond to attacks "without mercy."

Islamic Jihad spokesman Musab al-Barayem said the group was not interested in mediation for now as it responded to the killing of one of its commanders.&nbsp;

Israel killed senior Islamic Jihad commander Baha Abu al-Ata and his wife Asma in a targeted strike early Tuesday, prompting barrages of rocket fire in revenge and retaliatory Israeli airstrikes.

According to Israel, Ata was responsible for rocket fire at Israel as well as other attacks and was planning more violence, with the military calling him a "ticking bomb."

The flare-up raised fears of a new conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, who have fought three wars since 2008.

A total of 22 Palestinians have been killed so far, including Ata and his wife, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

Islamic Jihad confirmed that the dead included other members of its armed wing.

220 rockets

Since Israel's killing of Ata in what was believed to be a drone strike, at least 220 rockets have been fired into Israel from Gaza and dozens have been intercepted by air defences, according to the army.

There have been no Israeli deaths, though damage has been caused and one rocket narrowly missed cars on a busy highway.

Israeli medics said they had treated 48 people with light wounds, while schools were closed in areas near the Gaza border for a second day running.

On Tuesday, school closures included the commercial capital Tel Aviv.

Schools in the blockaded Gaza Strip, an enclave of two million people, have been closed since Tuesday.

Unusually and in a sign it was seeking to avoid a wider conflict, Israel's announced targets were confined to Islamic Jihad sites and not those belonging to Hamas.

It normally holds Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the Gaza Strip, responsible for all rocket fire from the enclave as the territory's de facto rulers.

Israeli analysts were quick to highlight the change of approach.

"For the first time in the current era, Israel drew a distinction between Hamas and Islamic Jihad," commentator Ben Caspit wrote in Israeli newspaper Maariv.

"By so doing, Israel deviated from its iron-clad principle that Hamas, as the sovereign power in Gaza, has to pay the price for any action taken by anyone in the Gaza Strip. That is now no longer the case."&nbsp;

Islamic Jihad is the second-most-powerful militant group in the Gaza Strip after Hamas.

The flare-up comes at a politically sensitive time for Israel.

A September 17 general election ended in a deadlock and a new government is yet to be formed.

It was the second election since April when polls also ended inconclusively.

The violence drew international calls for calm.

Britain's foreign office said "we call on all sides to rapidly de-escalate the situation, and support the UN and Egyptian efforts to achieve that objective."

Exchanges of fire triggered by Israel's targeted killing of a top militant in Gaza raged for a second day Wednesday and showed little sign of easing, with 22 Palestinians killed.

Exchanges of fire triggered by Israel's targeted killing of a top militant in Gaza raged for a second day Wednesday and showed little sign of easing, with 22 Palestinians killed. Fresh rocket barrages were fired at Israel, which responded with strikes on what it said were Islamic Jihad militant sites and rocket-launching squads in the Gaza Strip. Air raid sirens wailed and fireballs exploded as air defence missiles intercepted rockets, sending Israelis rushing to bomb shelters. In Gaza, residents surveyed damage and mourned the dead outside a mortuary and at funerals. UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov was expected in Cairo for talks on halting the fighting, a diplomatic source said, but a source close to the discussions warned the risk of further escalation remained high. In comments Wednesday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Islamic Jihad must stop its stop rocket attacks or "absorb more and more blows". He reiterated his warning that "this could take time" and said Israel would respond to attacks "without mercy." Islamic Jihad spokesman Musab al-Barayem said the group was not interested in mediation for now as it responded to the killing of one of its commanders. Israel killed senior Islamic Jihad commander Baha Abu al-Ata and his wife Asma in a targeted strike early Tuesday, prompting barrages of rocket fire in revenge and retaliatory Israeli airstrikes. According to Israel, Ata was responsible for rocket fire at Israel as well as other attacks and was planning more violence, with the military calling him a "ticking bomb." The flare-up raised fears of a new conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, who have fought three wars since 2008. A total of 22 Palestinians have been killed so far, including Ata and his wife, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. Islamic Jihad confirmed that the dead included other members of its armed wing. 220 rockets Since Israel's killing of Ata in what was believed to be a drone strike, at least 220 rockets have been fired into Israel from Gaza and dozens have been intercepted by air defences, according to the army. There have been no Israeli deaths, though damage has been caused and one rocket narrowly missed cars on a busy highway. Israeli medics said they had treated 48 people with light wounds, while schools were closed in areas near the Gaza border for a second day running. On Tuesday, school closures included the commercial capital Tel Aviv. Schools in the blockaded Gaza Strip, an enclave of two million people, have been closed since Tuesday. Unusually and in a sign it was seeking to avoid a wider conflict, Israel's announced targets were confined to Islamic Jihad sites and not those belonging to Hamas. It normally holds Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the Gaza Strip, responsible for all rocket fire from the enclave as the territory's de facto rulers. Israeli analysts were quick to highlight the change of approach. "For the first time in the current era, Israel drew a distinction between Hamas and Islamic Jihad," commentator Ben Caspit wrote in Israeli newspaper Maariv. "By so doing, Israel deviated from its iron-clad principle that Hamas, as the sovereign power in Gaza, has to pay the price for any action taken by anyone in the Gaza Strip. That is now no longer the case." Islamic Jihad is the second-most-powerful militant group in the Gaza Strip after Hamas. The flare-up comes at a politically sensitive time for Israel. A September 17 general election ended in a deadlock and a new government is yet to be formed. It was the second election since April when polls also ended inconclusively. The violence drew international calls for calm. Britain's foreign office said "we call on all sides to rapidly de-escalate the situation, and support the UN and Egyptian efforts to achieve that objective."

22 Palestinians killed as deadly Israel-Gaza escalation rages for second day

Israel reopened Sunday its crossings with the blockaded Gaza Strip after closing them during a deadly escalation earlier this month, an official said, as a fragile truce held.

Both the Erez crossing for people and Kerem Shalom crossing for goods were open and operating, a spokeswoman for COGAT, the defence ministry unit that oversees the crossings, said in a statement.

Both had been closed on May 4, when Gaza rulers Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad fired hundreds of rockets at Israel, with the army striking dozens of targets in Gaza in response.

Four Israeli civilians and 25 Palestinians, including at least nine militants, were killed in the two-day flare-up, which ended on Monday in a tentative truce.

Palestinian officials said Israel had agreed to ease its crippling decade-long blockade of the impoverished enclave in exchange for calm.

Israel did not publicly confirm the deal, but on Friday lifted the ban it had imposed on Palestinian fishing boats operating off Gaza.

Israel says its blockade is necessary to isolate Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas, with whom it has fought three wars since 2008.

But critics say it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza's two million residents.

Israel reopened Sunday its crossings with the blockaded Gaza Strip after closing them during a deadly escalation earlier this month, an official said, as a fragile truce held.

Israel reopened Sunday its crossings with the blockaded Gaza Strip after closing them during a deadly escalation earlier this month, an official said, as a fragile truce held. Both the Erez crossing for people and Kerem Shalom crossing for goods were open and operating, a spokeswoman for COGAT, the defence ministry unit that oversees the crossings, said in a statement. Both had been closed on May 4, when Gaza rulers Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad fired hundreds of rockets at Israel, with the army striking dozens of targets in Gaza in response. Four Israeli civilians and 25 Palestinians, including at least nine militants, were killed in the two-day flare-up, which ended on Monday in a tentative truce. Palestinian officials said Israel had agreed to ease its crippling decade-long blockade of the impoverished enclave in exchange for calm. Israel did not publicly confirm the deal, but on Friday lifted the ban it had imposed on Palestinian fishing boats operating off Gaza. Israel says its blockade is necessary to isolate Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas, with whom it has fought three wars since 2008. But critics say it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza's two million residents.

Israel reopens Gaza crossings as calm restored

More Than 600 Hamas Rockets Rained On Israel Over The Weekend As Tit-For-Tat Fighting Continues Between Israel & Palestine. Palki sums up the latest bout of deadly violence that rocket Israel and Gaza. Is Iran behind the Gaza escalation? Here's a detailed summary

Israel & Palestine reach an uneasy truce after yet another bout of deadly violence

Palestinian militants in Gaza fired a barrage of dozens of rockets at Israel on Saturday and Israel responded with strikes as a fragile ceasefire between the two sides again faltered.

Israel said around 50 rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave and its air defence systems intercepted dozens of them.

The army said it had targeted two rocket launchers in Gaza with an airstrike in response.&nbsp;

A Gazan security source said later that a series of Israeli strikes hit at least three separate areas of the Gaza Strip and that three "resistance fighters" were wounded.

It was not yet clear if there were casualties on the Israeli side.

The escalation follows the most violent clashes along the Gaza border in weeks on Friday.

Four Palestinians, including two Hamas militants, were killed by Israeli fire in the Gaza Strip on Friday after two Israeli soldiers were wounded in a shooting during weekly protests on the border.

Palestinian militants in Gaza fired a barrage of dozens of rockets at Israel on Saturday and Israel responded with strikes as a fragile ceasefire between the two sides again faltered.

Palestinian militants in Gaza fired a barrage of dozens of rockets at Israel on Saturday and Israel responded with strikes as a fragile ceasefire between the two sides again faltered. Israel said around 50 rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave and its air defence systems intercepted dozens of them. The army said it had targeted two rocket launchers in Gaza with an airstrike in response. A Gazan security source said later that a series of Israeli strikes hit at least three separate areas of the Gaza Strip and that three "resistance fighters" were wounded. It was not yet clear if there were casualties on the Israeli side. The escalation follows the most violent clashes along the Gaza border in weeks on Friday. Four Palestinians, including two Hamas militants, were killed by Israeli fire in the Gaza Strip on Friday after two Israeli soldiers were wounded in a shooting during weekly protests on the border.

Dozens of rockets fired at Israel from Gaza, Israel responds

Calm returned to the Gaza Strip and nearby Israeli communities on Wednesday after the worst military flare-up since a 2014 war raised fears of yet another full-blown conflict in the beleaguered Palestinian enclave.

The exchange of fire on Tuesday and into the early hours of Wednesday began with a barrage of rocket and mortars into Israel from Gaza.

Israel said it targeted some 65 militant sites in the Gaza Strip. It also said around 100 rockets and mortars fired from Gaza either exploded in Israel or were intercepted by air defences.

Three Israeli soldiers were wounded, one moderately and two lightly, the military said. There were no reports of casualties in Gaza.

Late Tuesday, an Islamic Jihad spokesman said a ceasefire had been reached, and on Wednesday senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya also spoke of an accord.

Though Israeli officials denied being part of a ceasefire, calm was maintained on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's military had delivered the "harshest blow" in years to Gaza militants.

"Since yesterday, the army has responded forcefully to fire from the Gaza Strip with attacks against dozens of targets of terrorist organisations in the harshest blow that we have dealt them in years," Netanyahu said, according to his office.

Should be outraged

Tuesday's violence followed weeks of deadly unrest along the border between Israel and the blockaded Palestinian enclave.

In a rare joint statement, Hamas and Islamic Jihad declared shared responsibility for the rocket and mortar fire, saying it was in retaliation for Israeli attacks targeting their positions.

Three Islamic Jihad members were killed in an Israeli strike Sunday, and the group vowed revenge. Islamic Jihad is the second-largest armed group in Gaza after Hamas.

The United Nations Security Council convened on Wednesday to discuss the violence, following a US request for an urgent meeting.

But Kuwait, a non-permanent council member, blocked a US-drafted statement that would have strongly condemned Palestinian rocket fire from Gaza.

The Gulf nation said it was blocking the statement to allow for consideration of a draft resolution it has put forward on the protection of Palestinian civilians.

Early Tuesday, some 28 mortar shells were fired toward Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Israel said most were intercepted by its air defence systems but put residents in the area on high alert, ordering them to stay within 15 seconds of shelters.

One mortar shell exploded near a kindergarten building, a military spokesman said, damaging the structure. No children were present at the time.

Israel's military began air strikes soon after.

Later in the day, further rockets and mortar rounds from Gaza were intercepted or exploded in Israel, the army said.

It said some of the mortars fired were supplied by Iran.

On Tuesday night, a rocket hit an Israeli home near the Gaza border, but no one was hurt, the military said.

Any upcoming escalation

Israel's military said it hit "military targets" including a tunnel stretching into its territory, weapons stores and militant bases.

Hamas said in a statement Tuesday that "what the resistance carried out this morning comes within the framework of the natural right to defend our people".

The military flare-up followed weeks of deadly demonstrations and clashes along the Gaza-Israel border, beginning on March 30.

The protests demanded that Palestinians who fled or were expelled in the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation be allowed to return to their former homes, now inside Israel.

They peaked on May 14, when at least 61 Palestinians were killed in clashes as tens of thousands of Gazans protested the US transfer of its embassy in Israel to the disputed city of Jerusalem the same day.

Low-level demonstrations and clashes have continued since.

At least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the unrest. No Israelis have been killed.

Israel says its actions are necessary to defend its borders, accusing Hamas of encouraging thousands of Palestinians to break through the border and attack Israelis.

But Israel has faced international criticism and calls for an independent investigation over its use of live fire during the protests and border clashes.

On Tuesday night, a rocket hit an Israeli home near the Gaza border, but no one was hurt, the military said

Calm returned to the Gaza Strip and nearby Israeli communities on Wednesday after the worst military flare-up since a 2014 war raised fears of yet another full-blown conflict in the beleaguered Palestinian enclave. The exchange of fire on Tuesday and into the early hours of Wednesday began with a barrage of rocket and mortars into Israel from Gaza. Israel said it targeted some 65 militant sites in the Gaza Strip. It also said around 100 rockets and mortars fired from Gaza either exploded in Israel or were intercepted by air defences. Three Israeli soldiers were wounded, one moderately and two lightly, the military said. There were no reports of casualties in Gaza. Late Tuesday, an Islamic Jihad spokesman said a ceasefire had been reached, and on Wednesday senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya also spoke of an accord. Though Israeli officials denied being part of a ceasefire, calm was maintained on Wednesday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's military had delivered the "harshest blow" in years to Gaza militants. "Since yesterday, the army has responded forcefully to fire from the Gaza Strip with attacks against dozens of targets of terrorist organisations in the harshest blow that we have dealt them in years," Netanyahu said, according to his office. Should be outraged Tuesday's violence followed weeks of deadly unrest along the border between Israel and the blockaded Palestinian enclave. In a rare joint statement, Hamas and Islamic Jihad declared shared responsibility for the rocket and mortar fire, saying it was in retaliation for Israeli attacks targeting their positions. Three Islamic Jihad members were killed in an Israeli strike Sunday, and the group vowed revenge. Islamic Jihad is the second-largest armed group in Gaza after Hamas. The United Nations Security Council convened on Wednesday to discuss the violence, following a US request for an urgent meeting. But Kuwait, a non-permanent council member, blocked a US-drafted statement that would have strongly condemned Palestinian rocket fire from Gaza. The Gulf nation said it was blocking the statement to allow for consideration of a draft resolution it has put forward on the protection of Palestinian civilians. Early Tuesday, some 28 mortar shells were fired toward Israel from the Gaza Strip. Israel said most were intercepted by its air defence systems but put residents in the area on high alert, ordering them to stay within 15 seconds of shelters. One mortar shell exploded near a kindergarten building, a military spokesman said, damaging the structure. No children were present at the time. Israel's military began air strikes soon after. Later in the day, further rockets and mortar rounds from Gaza were intercepted or exploded in Israel, the army said. It said some of the mortars fired were supplied by Iran. On Tuesday night, a rocket hit an Israeli home near the Gaza border, but no one was hurt, the military said. Any upcoming escalation Israel's military said it hit "military targets" including a tunnel stretching into its territory, weapons stores and militant bases. Hamas said in a statement Tuesday that "what the resistance carried out this morning comes within the framework of the natural right to defend our people". The military flare-up followed weeks of deadly demonstrations and clashes along the Gaza-Israel border, beginning on March 30. The protests demanded that Palestinians who fled or were expelled in the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation be allowed to return to their former homes, now inside Israel. They peaked on May 14, when at least 61 Palestinians were killed in clashes as tens of thousands of Gazans protested the US transfer of its embassy in Israel to the disputed city of Jerusalem the same day. Low-level demonstrations and clashes have continued since. At least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the unrest. No Israelis have been killed. Israel says its actions are necessary to defend its borders, accusing Hamas of encouraging thousands of Palestinians to break through the border and attack Israelis. But Israel has faced international criticism and calls for an independent investigation over its use of live fire during the protests and border clashes.

Calm returns after most severe Israel-Gaza flare-up in years

israel-gaza

Israel Gaza, News on Israel Gaza, stories on Israel Gaza, articles on Israel Gaza, Israel Gaza stories at Wion, Israel Gaza news, Israel Gaza latest news

israel gaza