Israeli airstrikes conducted over the Gaza Strip during the night resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals, according to Palestinian medical sources on Monday. Among the casualties was a strike that targeted a tent camp in the Muwasi area, designated as a humanitarian safe zone by Israel, where eight fatalities occurred, including two children. The bodies were reported by the Nasser Hospital located in Khan Younis, a southern city in Gaza.
The Israeli military claims that its operations are aimed solely at militants who are believed to operate within civilian areas. In a statement released late Sunday, it indicated that the strike was directed at a Hamas combatant within this so-called humanitarian zone. The ongoing conflict was sparked when Hamas-affiliated militants launched an offensive against southern Israel in October 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, primarily among civilians, and leading to around 250 individuals taken hostage, with about 100 still believed to be held in Gaza, of which Israel suspects at least a third may have perished.
As reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry, the air and ground operations conducted by Israel have led to the deaths of over 45,200 Palestinians. The Ministry indicates that women and children represent more than half of those deceased, but does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count. The Israeli military, on the other hand, asserts that it has eliminated more than 17,000 militants, although it has not provided supporting evidence for this claim.
In another development, Israel’s military intercepted a drone originating from Yemen on Monday, prior to its entry into Israeli airspace. This comes shortly after a missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck Tel Aviv, injuring 16 individuals due to shattered glass. The military noted that no air raid sirens were activated during the interception. Since the initiation of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, the Houthis are reported to have launched over 200 missiles and UAVs against Israel. They are also engaged in attacks on maritime shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, pledging to continue these actions until a ceasefire is established in Gaza. Despite ongoing patrols by U.S. and European warships in the region, the hostilities persist. In recent days, U.S. forces have conducted airstrikes in Yemen, while Israel had previously struck Yemen, resulting in at least nine casualties.
In Damascus, a delegation from Qatar made a groundbreaking visit to Syria, meeting with the predominant insurgent commander on Monday—a first in over ten years. The meeting between Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Khulaifi and Ahmad al-Sharaa, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, signaled a forthcoming alignment and cooperation between Doha and Damascus. Qatar and Turkey have historically supported the rebels now in control of Damascus, and discussions about aiding Syria during its transition from former President Bashar Assad’s regime were initiated. Al-Sharaa mentioned that he has extended an invitation to the Qatari emir to visit Syria and expressed optimism for rekindling diplomatic relations. Furthermore, he met with Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and a Saudi representative during the same visit.
In the West Bank city of Jenin, the Palestinian Authority announced that a second member of its security forces was killed in clashes with Palestinian militants. Brig. Gen. Anwar Rajab reported that 1st Sgt. Mehran Qadoos lost his life to gunfire from “outlaws” in this highly volatile region, following a recent crackdown on militants by security forces. This incident came on the heels of another security officer being killed the previous day. Gunfire and explosions were heard in Jenin, believed to be stemming from ongoing confrontations between security forces and militants, with no presence of Israeli troops reported at that time. Earlier calls for a general strike from militant groups across the territory accused the security forces of attempting to disarm them in favor of Israel’s prolonged occupation.
Palestinian Authority, while internationally recognized, faces considerable unpopularity among its citizens, partly due to its collaboration with Israel on security matters. The Authority has been criticized for allegedly inciting violence and failing to combat armed factions effectively. Its jurisdiction is limited within the West Bank, an area captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East conflict, which the Palestinians envision as part of their future sovereign state. Current positions within the Israeli government resist any notion of Palestinian statehood, opting to maintain unyielding security control over the territory. The violence has escalated in the West Bank, particularly after Hamas’ cross-border assault on October 7, 2023, that triggered the ongoing war.
In another development, Jenin witnessed widespread participation in a general strike called by militant organizations protesting the Palestinian security forces’ recent actions. Reports from local witnesses indicated sounds of gunfire and explosions, attributed to confrontations between militants and security personnel, although the total extent of casualties remains unclear. Businesses in Jenin were closed in a show of solidarity on Monday following the killing of a security officer and injuries to two others in previous encounters. Concurrent to this, the Palestinian Authority attributed the violence to “outlaws,” affirming its commitment to law and order, albeit refraining from enforcing any policies against the occupation. The Authority governs limited areas under the West Bank, with the territory being a focal point for future state aspirations of the Palestinian people.
On a related note, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati embarked on a tour of military installations in the southern region following the ceasefire that concluded the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. His first inspection of frontline positions occurred on Monday, where the Lebanese armed forces are expected to progressively occupy, coinciding with withdrawal plans for Hezbollah and Israeli troops by the end of the upcoming month. Mikati’s visit comes amidst governmental discontent regarding persistent Israeli operations within Lebanese borders. Following discussions with army leader Joseph Aoun, he underscored the necessity for Israel’s withdrawal from territories taken during the recent confrontations, fueling hopes for reinvigorated military support and operational capabilities in the southern region, which has experienced notable Hezbollah presence. Although the Lebanese army was not engaged in direct combat, numerous personnel were reported lost due to Israeli strikes in the area, an acknowledgment made by the Israeli military.
