Israel has ordered the evacuation of areas in southern and central Gaza that were previously considered safe zones for humanitarian purposes. The Israeli army cited the use of these areas by Hamas to launch attacks towards Israel as the reason for the evacuation. Warning flyers and text messages were sent to residents in the affected areas, urging them to move away from combat zones.
In the midst of the ongoing conflict, a Palestinian village near Qalqilya in the occupied West Bank was attacked by Israeli settlers, resulting in the death of one Palestinian and critical injuries to another. The Israeli military intervened and arrested one Israeli involved in the attack, condemning the violence and promising to hold those responsible accountable.
The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 40,000, with 92,401 Palestinians injured in Israel’s military offensive following an attack by Hamas last year. The UN’s high commissioner for human rights called the death toll a “grim milestone” and accused the Israeli army of failing to comply with rules of war. The international charity ActionAid expressed outrage and heartbreak over the escalating violence in Gaza and criticized governments for failing to protect civilian lives.
Amidst these developments, negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza continued in Doha, with a US official describing the talks as “constructive”. Hamas officials did not participate in the talks, citing ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza as a barrier to progress on a ceasefire. Despite international efforts to end the violence, the situation in the region remains volatile and the risk of further escalation is high.
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