In the early hours of Thursday, Israeli airstrikes targeted residential areas in the Gaza Strip resulting in the deaths of at least 85 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. Amidst the devastation, a month-old baby girl was rescued from the debris, with her parents and brother among the deceased.
On the same day, Hamas launched three rockets towards Israel, marking the first offensive since the heavy Israeli bombardment recommenced on Tuesday, breaking a 17-month ceasefire. The Israeli military has resumed its blockade of northern Gaza, including Gaza City, and has taken control of a vital corridor that separates the north from the south.
In Jerusalem, a significant protest took place outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, where demonstrators voiced their discontent over his handling of the ongoing hostage situation and his intent to dismiss the head of the nation’s internal security.
Air raid sirens wailed in central Jerusalem after a missile launch from Yemen, which was intercepted by Israel’s military before it could enter Israeli airspace. This attack occurred shortly after Israel intercepted another missile fired by the Yemeni Houthi rebel group, which is backed by Iran. The Houthis have resumed their attacks following the end of the ceasefire with Hamas.
The United States detained a Georgetown University researcher, citing his marriage to a Palestinian American, raising questions over the legal proceedings facing foreign-born visa holders in the U.S. Badar Khan Suri, an Indian citizen and Georgetown postdoctoral scholar, reportedly had his visa revoked because of his wife’s Palestinian ties. His arrest led to accusations of spreading pro-Hamas sentiments and promoting antisemitism on social media.
The United Nations reported the death of Marin Valev Marinov, a Bulgarian member of the U.N. Office for Project Services, who was killed by an explosion in Gaza. Marinov was involved in delivering humanitarian aid and was one of many U.N. personnel casualties in the region since the conflict began. While Israel has denied responsibility for the strike, the U.N. has not provided details on the perpetrators.
In response to Hamas’s actions, the Trump administration reiterated its full support for Israel. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized Hamas for their refusal to release hostages and reiterated the U.S.’s stance supporting Israel’s recent military actions.
Freed Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi addressed the U.N. Security Council, highlighting that while devoted discussions on humanitarian aid were ongoing, he witnessed Hamas militants misappropriating U.N. marked aid, while hostages suffered. Sharabi, who endured brutal conditions over 491 days, urgently called for the international community to act.
The U.K.’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy has expressed concerns about Israel’s complete blockade of Gaza, suggesting it may be a breach of international humanitarian law, and criticized Israel’s denial of essential aid to the population. This follows the U.K.’s previous action of suspending certain arms exports to Israel.
Following renewed hostilities, Israeli military efforts in central Gaza have expanded, urging evacuations in the Bani Suheila area. This is part of a broader extension of an Israeli-imposed buffer zone around Gaza’s borders. Meanwhile, a baby girl was dramatically rescued from the ruins of her family home, destroyed in an Israeli airstrike which claimed the lives of her parents and brother.
Protests continued in Israel, with demonstrators clashing with police outside the Prime Minister’s home over governmental decisions regarding internal security and the management of the hostage crisis. Water cannons were deployed to manage the crowds, as tensions escalated.
The Israeli military intercepted three rockets fired from Gaza, as Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack that breached the recent calm. Additionally, a missile launched from Yemen was also shot down, indicating a broader escalation involving regional actors like Iran-backed Houthis.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the ongoing strikes on Yemen and Gaza, criticizing them as U.S.-endorsed crimes. These developments have sparked considerable international debate, spotlighting the complex dynamics of geopolitical alliances and conflict in the Middle East.
The death toll from the recent Israeli airstrikes has risen, with hospitals reporting multiple casualties, including women and children, across Gaza. Strikes in Khan Younis, Rafah, and Beit Lahiya have left numerous families devastated, and further fuel the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
Overall, the region remains in a state of heightened tension with ongoing military actions, diplomatic protests, and international intervention efforts continuing amidst pressing humanitarian concerns.
