In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations concentrated on Khan Yunis, where a UN shelter was shelled, resulting in nine casualties.
The overall toll from Israel's military offensive and invasion in Gaza has reached at least 25,700, with about 70% being women and children, according to the health ministry. The Israeli army claimed to have encircled Khan Yunis, engaging in urban combat. Hamas reported fierce clashes, and the Gaza health ministry confirmed multiple deaths from strikes in the city and elsewhere, including four children in the Nuseirat camp. The UNRWA-run shelter was hit by tank rounds, causing nine deaths and 75 injuries.
The UN condemned the attack, emphasizing the shelter's clear markings and shared coordinates with Israeli authorities. The U.S. also condemned the incident, urging protection for civilians and respect for the sanctity of UN facilities. In Rafah, a strike on a mosque left it in ruins.
Calls for a ceasefire have grown, with Israeli protesters demanding an end to the bloodshed. The Israeli government faces domestic pressure, especially after the deadliest day for its soldiers in the current conflict.
There are reports that 21 soldiers died in an operation to create a buffer zone inside Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists the war will continue until the "aggression and evil" of Hamas are eradicated. U.S. President Joe Biden's envoy, Brett McGurk, is in the region seeking a deal to free captives and halt the fighting. Talks involving a Hamas delegation in Cairo aim to explore new ceasefire proposals.
Netanyahu allegedly criticized Qatar's mediation efforts, blaming it for funding Hamas, leading to tensions with the Gulf state. The Gaza conflict has sparked concerns of broader escalation, with Houthi fighters in Yemen targeting ships in the Red Sea, prompting a response from the U.S. Navy. The Houthis vowed to continue such attacks despite international strikes against them.
