The Israeli military issued an evacuation order for another part of central Gaza on Wednesday, as preparations intensified for an assault on the densely populated Bureij refugee camp. This announcement came amid ongoing discussions between Israel and Hamas concerning a possible ceasefire following a prolonged conflict lasting 14 months.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to meet with Adam Boehler, the U.S. envoy for the Middle East, in Jerusalem. Boehler, who previously served as an adviser to Jared Kushner, had discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the week.
As Israel continues its airstrikes on Gaza, efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and the release of hostages have resumed after a significant hiatus. The current proposal suggests a six-week halt in hostilities, during which Hamas would free 30 hostages, including three dual Israeli-U.S. citizens. In return, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian detainees. Former President Trump has expressed a desire for a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Since the onset of the war, over 45,000 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives due to Israeli airstrikes, according to figures from the Gaza Health Ministry. The statistics do not differentiate between military personnel and civilians, although it is noted that a substantial portion of the casualties are women and children. The conflict began when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel in October 2023, resulting in around 1,200 fatalities among Israelis and the abduction of roughly 250 individuals, with estimates suggesting about a third of the remaining hostages may no longer be alive.
In the latest developments, a high-ranking UN official labeled Israel’s collective punitive measures against Gaza’s Palestinians as “unjustifiable.” Khaled Khiari, the Assistant Secretary-General, addressed the U.N. Security Council, stating that the situation for Palestinians, particularly in northern Gaza, has become “untenable.” He highlighted military actions near Jabaliya and Beit Lahiya, where humanitarian aid has been denied.
He condemned the high civilian casualties caused by Israel’s military tactics in populated regions, leading to widespread damage to essential structures, including hospitals, schools, and places of worship. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, accused Israel of systematically targeting and displacing Palestinians, claiming that its objective is to expand its territory while minimizing the Palestinian presence.
On the Israeli side, U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon claimed that humanitarian assistance is being provided to Gaza and praised Israel’s military initiatives aimed at neutralizing threats from Hamas and Hezbollah. He linked the various regional developments, advocating for stringent sanctions against Iran and designating its Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist entity.
In a more specific incident, Israeli forces reportedly targeted the intensive care unit of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, leading to the facility’s closure and multiple fatalities in the vicinity. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital’s director, described the chaotic scene as medical staff struggled to extinguish flames in a room filled with smoke. After a series of tank shelling, the ICU was rendered non-operational, with eyewitness accounts describing the tragedy unfolding around them.
The Israeli military, however, denied any direct attack on the hospital, asserting that they are investigating potential fighting in the area. Videos shared on social media depicted dire situations, including abandoned bodies and panic as patients evacuated from the impacted unit.
In a separate context, the Syrian Civil Defense group, known as the White Helmets, discovered 21 corpses in the Sayyida Zeinab suburb of Damascus, at a site previously affiliated with Iranian-backed militias. This alarming find highlights the ongoing humanitarian concerns within Syria, where the bodies were retrieved from a location with historical ties to various armed factions supporting the Assad regime.
In a notable event concerning Israeli settlers, a group briefly crossed into Lebanon before being escorted back by Israeli military forces. The Uri Tzafon movement, which advocates for Israeli settlements in southern Lebanon, was involved in this incident. The military characterized the unauthorized entry as a serious concern and has launched an investigation.
Amid turmoil, the UN envoy for Syria emphasized the need for an inclusive political transition in the war-torn country. Geir Pedersen declared that discussions should be guided by a 2015 UN resolution and expressed cautious optimism about the establishment of a new governance structure in Syria.
In demonstrations throughout Israel, students staged walkouts advocating for the return of hostages held by Hamas. They expressed their demands visually through signs and chants at various public intersections. Their activism coincides with ongoing negotiations focused on releasing nearly 100 hostages still believed to be in Gaza.
In a highly publicized corruption trial, Prime Minister Netanyahu presented his defense, claiming the allegations against him are baseless. His ongoing court appearances coincide with his political responsibilities during a time of heightened conflict in the region.
Meanwhile, the Damascus International Airport reopened for the first time since the regime’s fall, facilitating domestic flights and signaling a degree of recovery in Syria after years of chaos. Officials expressed optimism regarding future operations as state institutions gradually resume normal activities.
Lastly, the head of the UN migration agency acknowledged steps taken by Syria’s interim government toward rebuilding while recognizing the monumental challenges that lie ahead, notably in restoring the country’s stability and addressing humanitarian needs arising from the long-standing conflict.
