A recent report by Human Rights Watch revealed that Israeli soldiers conducted an attack on a home in Gaza City in December, resulting in the death of at least seven people and severe injuries to two others, including a 5-year-old child, from a Palestinian family seeking shelter during the Israel-Hamas conflict. The family confirmed that there were no militants or weapons present in the house, and they had no ties to any armed groups. The soldiers reportedly entered the home without warning, throwing grenades and opening fire, causing casualties, including a pregnant woman, with the injured child undergoing treatment in Qatar.
The situation in Gaza remains dire due to Israeli restrictions on aid and continued hostilities, hampering access to essential medical, food, and other supplies. The death toll in Gaza has reached nearly 40,000, as reported by the Health Ministry.
Tensions escalated in the region following the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh on July 31 in Iran, presumed to be a result of an Israeli strike. Concerns over possible retaliation have mounted. French President Emmanuel Macron urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a call to prevent further military escalation, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding regional stability.
Efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza have been advocated by global leaders, with U.S. President Joe Biden discussing the matter with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to seek ways to ease tensions in the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu notified his Cabinet about Israel being engaged in a “multi-front war” with Iran and its affiliated groups.
In a separate development, Saudi Arabia denounced the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran as a blatant violation of international law. The Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister, Waleed ElKhereiji, criticized the attack, labeling it a threat to regional peace and security, stressing the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries, comprising a breach of international regulations and the United Nations Charter. The statement did not directly attribute the incident to Israel but pointed out Israeli actions against Palestinians both inside and outside Palestinian territories.
