Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that Israel is creating a new security passage across the Gaza Strip aimed at exerting pressure on Hamas. The plan suggests the corridor could isolate the southern city, Rafah, from the remaining parts of the Palestinian territory. This development follows the declaration by Netanyahu’s defense minister about Israel’s intention to take control of significant sections of Gaza to augment its security zones.
Overnight air raids by Israeli forces resulted in the deaths of more than 40 Palestinians, approximately half of whom were women and children, as reported by Palestinian health authorities. One particular attack on a United Nations facility, which had been a clinic turned shelter, left at least 17 people dead as Israel claimed it targeted a Hamas “command and control center” operational there.
Israel has committed to intensifying the nearly 18-month conflict with Hamas until the group returns the remaining hostages, disarms, and vacates the territory. The ceasefire ended in March, leading Israel to halt all supplies of food, fuel, and humanitarian relief to Gaza, actions criticized by human rights organizations as constituting war crimes.
In a new development, Israel reported intercepting two rockets launched from Gaza, marking a recent pattern as projectile fires diminish considerably during the lengthy conflict. Continued rocket launches and long-range missile threats from regions like Yemen, however, persist.
Jonathan Whittall, the top U.N. aid coordinator for Gaza, described the dire situation in the territory, noting that Israel’s conduct reflects “a war without limits.” He stated that humanitarian workers face insurmountable challenges due to the crisis, and he called for political intervention to establish accountability.
The United Nations highlights Gaza’s danger to humanitarian workers, with reported deaths surpassing 408 during Israel’s clash with Hamas. U.N. officials addressed the Security Council, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice regarding attacks on aid workers.
Netanyahu outlined the creation of the Morag corridor, a military-controlled route between Rafah and Khan Younis in southern Gaza. He emphasized increasing pressure on Hamas to secure the return of hostages, intensifying measures if demands remain unmet. This follows the recapture of the Netzarim corridor, after military presence was previously scaled back during the ceasefire.
In another development, Netanyahu took to the witness stand again, testifying in his enduring trial on corruption allegations. He has refuted charges of misconduct, blaming the situation on media and legal opposition seeking his political downfall. Concurrent investigations are probing potential connections between Qatar and Netanyahu’s former advisers concerning influence tactics in Israel.
Meanwhile, an Israeli assault on a U.N. building that housed displaced Palestinian families in northern Gaza killed 15 individuals, including nine children. Despite prior warnings about the dangers of staying in the facility post-strike, authorities reported that displaced families have no alternative accommodations.
The families of Israeli hostages have expressed concern over intensified Israeli operations in Gaza, insisting on the government’s duty to secure their release through available channels. They warned that their family members face perpetual risk and called for the Trump administration and intermediaries to maintain pressure on Hamas.
Germany rejected Israel’s implication of involvement in a purported “voluntary departure” of Palestinians from Gaza to other countries. Subsequent clarifications emphasized routine coordination for evacuating German citizens, not participation in any broader resettlement activities labeled as voluntary but widely regarded as forced expulsion.
Recent Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis in southern Gaza killed 17 people, according to hospital statements. The ongoing military expansion in Gaza aims to seize substantial territories to align with Israeli security objectives, as declared by Israel’s Defense Minister. This security strategy underscores continuous operations beyond buffer zones, urging Gaza’s populace to oppose Hamas’ influence.
The United Nations, countering Israel’s assertion of ample food supplies in Gaza, criticized the claims as unfounded while announcing the closure of World Food Program bakeries due to scarce resources. Previous humanitarian deliveries during the ceasefire face allegations of diversion to Hamas, though U.N. representatives assure a strict oversight process on aid distribution.
Separately, assumed U.S. airstrikes in Yemen, targeting Houthi rebel territories, have reportedly led to numerous fatalities, seemingly interlinked with regional dynamics confirmed by ongoing air campaign statistics provided by U.S. officials, focused on Iran’s influence and its nuclear ambition concerns.