Israeli airstrikes targeted two schools in Gaza City on Thursday, claiming the lives of at least 17 individuals, including five children. According to officials from the Health Ministry, the strikes also resulted in around 30 injuries at both locations involved. The Israeli military asserted that Hamas had established command centers within these schools, although no evidence was presented to substantiate this claim.
In a broader regional context, Israel conducted extensive airstrikes in Yemen, focusing on ports and energy infrastructure under Houthi control, leading to the deaths of nine people. This offensive was launched shortly after a missile fired by Houthi rebels severely damaged a school building inside Israel.
Over the past 14 months of conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas militants, the Palestinian Health Ministry reports that more than 45,000 Palestinians have died. They do not differentiate between civilians and combatants but have indicated that a significant portion of the deceased are women and children. The violence in Gaza was triggered by a Hamas assault on southern Israel in October 2023, which resulted in 1,200 fatalities.
On Thursday, Human Rights Watch joined a growing chorus of critics labeling Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocidal. Israel strongly disagrees with this labeling, maintaining that its military efforts are concentrated on targeting Hamas militants rather than civilians in Gaza.
In other developments, the U.N. General Assembly approved a resolution that requests the International Court of Justice to clarify Israel’s obligations regarding humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the West Bank. The resolution, which was sponsored by Norway, passed with a vote of 137-12 and included 22 abstentions. The U.S., a close ally of Israel, voted against this resolution.
The call for an advisory opinion from the ICJ follows previous condemnations of Israel’s control of territories seized 57 years ago. Last July, the court deemed Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal, urging it to cease its occupation and settlement activities immediately. Norwegian officials emphasized the international community’s responsibility to respond to the dire humanitarian crises in Gaza, where acute hunger and near-famine conditions prevail.
In a separate incident, the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Israel shortly after launching a long-range missile that struck an Israeli school. This prompted retaliatory airstrikes from Israel targeting Houthi positions, resulting in casualties among the rebels. The Iranian-backed Houthis have been engaged in aggressive campaigns against Israeli and allied interests, asserting that their operations will persist until there’s a ceasefire in Gaza.
In Syria, residents of the village of Maariyah reported that Israeli forces have prevented farmers from accessing their fields, establishing positions near an abandoned Syrian army base. Israeli military responses have led to claims of occupation violations related to the 1974 ceasefire agreement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed concerns that Russia had been weakened by the changes in Syria following Assad’s ousting, asserting that Russia’s objectives had been satisfied through its military interventions in the region. Putin noted Israel’s advantageous position post-conflict in Syria, hinting at a potential for future troop withdrawals.
Amid this turmoil, protests erupted in Damascus, as hundreds of individuals demanded inclusive political participation in the newly formed transitional government. Demonstrators expressed hopes for a future free from sectarian divisions and a commitment to a civil state.
Medical aid organization Doctors Without Borders issued a report accusing Israel of systematically targeting Gaza’s healthcare system. Their findings indicated numerous attacks on medical facilities since the beginning of the conflict, with substantial disruptions in medical services due to continuous warfare. In response, the Israeli Foreign Ministry denied these allegations, maintaining that their military actions focused on terminating Hamas’s military capabilities.
Lastly, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed optimism about the possibility of achieving a ceasefire in Gaza before the end of the Biden administration, as ongoing negotiations continue behind the scenes. He indicated that increasing pressure on Hamas could lead to a resolution for both hostages and civilians caught in the conflict.
Overall, as geopolitical tensions evolve and humanitarian crises deepen, multiple fronts of conflict continue to challenge stability in the region.
