DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip— Intense Israeli air raids on Gaza claimed the lives of at least 25 individuals, including children, on Friday, according to medical personnel. This occurred as the newly appointed U.S. ambassador to Israel made his inaugural public appearance in Jerusalem.
Among the casualties were 15 people killed in three separate attacks on Khan Younis, as reported by Nasser Hospital, which received the victims’ bodies. Additionally, ten individuals lost their lives in Jabaliya, eight of whom belonged to the same family, as accounted by the Indonesian Hospital, which also received the bodies.
These strikes followed the deaths of over two dozen individuals in Gaza on a previous day as Israel persisted with its military campaign targeting Hamas, urging the group to disarm and release hostages captured in October 2023.
In his first public visit, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee visited the Western Wall, one of the holiest Jewish prayer sites located in Jerusalem’s Old City, and inserted a prayer into the wall, attributing it to a handwritten note from U.S. President Donald Trump. “Those are his initials, D.T.,” Huckabee mentioned while displaying the note to the media.
Huckabee, in his initial act as ambassador, revealed that President Trump instructed him to pray for peace in Jerusalem. Huckabee also stated efforts are being undertaken to secure the return of hostages held by Hamas. Previously a presidential contender, Huckabee has expressed his support for Israel’s right to annex the West Bank and integrate its Palestinian population but emphasized this would not be within his purview to execute such a policy.
During Trump’s first term, he acknowledged Jerusalem as Israel’s capital despite Palestinian discord and relocated the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv. Palestinians aspire for the eastern part of the city, captured by Israel during the 1967 Mideast war, to become their future capital.
Huckabee’s visit occurs at a critical juncture in the ongoing 18-month conflict, where global mediators, including the U.S., are endeavoring to revive a faltering ceasefire.
Israel has articulated an ultimatum, demanding Hamas release more hostages before any new ceasefire is brokered and eventually disarm and withdraw from the territory. Israel intends to secure extensive “security zones” within Gaza.
Khalil al-Hayya, a leading figure in Hamas’ negotiating delegation, asserted Thursday that the group dismissed Israel’s latest proposition, affirming the group’s stance which involves exchanging hostages only for the release of more Palestinian prisoners and a comprehensive Israeli military withdrawal, alongside a permanent truce, as proposed in a previously annulled ceasefire agreement achieved in January. Hamas presently holds 59 hostages, with 24 believed to remain alive.
The airstrikes on Friday followed warnings from humanitarian groups regarding Israel’s blockade on Gaza, where entry of all food and essential supplies has been halted for more than six weeks. Thousands of children face malnourishment, and residents are limited to sparse daily meals as supplies deplete, the United Nations stated.
Israel’s Defense Chief says the blockade serves as a critical pressure tool against Hamas, who they accuse of misappropriating aid to bolster its governance. Aid workers counter there isn’t significant aid diversion, noting stringent U.N. monitoring of distribution. Rights advocates have condemned the blockade as a “starvation practice.”
Meanwhile, amidst Israel’s ongoing military campaign, Palestinian Christians convened at Gaza’s Greek Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrios to observe the Good Friday holiday. Faithful attendees, dressed in mourning, engaged in prayer and candle lighting to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.
A structure within the St. Porphyrios complex was hit shortly after the war erupted in October 2023, leading to the deaths of more than a dozen individuals seeking refuge. This is the second Good Friday observed in Gaza since then. St. Porphyrios is recognized as one of the world’s oldest churches according to the World Council of Churches.
Approximately 1,300 Christians resided in Gaza before the conflict commenced, as indicated by the U.S. State Department.
The conflict originated when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in about 1,200 fatalities, predominantly civilians, with 251 individuals being abducted. Many hostages have since been freed through ceasefire negotiations or other arrangements.
Israel’s military actions have killed over 51,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilian and combatant fatalities. The conflict has ravaged considerable portions of Gaza and decimated its food production capabilities. Consequently, approximately 90% of the population has been displaced, with many inhabiting tent encampments and dilapidated buildings.