The Israeli military has announced the killing of three high-ranking Hamas commanders, including the head of the Hamas government in Gaza, Rawhi Mushtaha. This comes amid a surge in tensions across the Middle East, with ongoing conflicts in multiple regions.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have established operational control over the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. The military is conducting a targeted operation against specific targets in eastern Rafah, resulting in the deaths of 20 militants. The move comes despite Hamas accepting an Egyptian-Qatari truce proposal, which Israel deemed insufficient. The operation began on Monday after Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing several people. Qatar has sent a delegation to Cairo to resume indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, but the outcome remains uncertain.
Despite six months of conflict, numerous Israeli soldiers are still seeking donations to provide basic supplies like helmets, boots, and knee pads. While the official line is that the Israeli military fulfills all soldiers’ needs, reality shows otherwise. Shortages have raised questions about the military’s preparedness and response to pressing needs. Aid groups have emerged to coordinate donations and provide assistance, highlighting the inadequacy of government supply efforts. The situation has led to a grassroots effort to support soldiers, with donations estimated to exceed $1 billion, paralleling similar charitable giving observed during the Ukraine war.
The United Nations has expressed concern over the discovery of mass graves at two major Gaza hospitals that were raided by Israeli troops. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric emphasized the need for a transparent and credible investigation, with access for investigators and journalists. UN human rights chief Volker Türk condemned the destruction of the hospitals and called for independent inquiries. US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel expressed concern but acknowledged Israel’s explanation that exhumed bodies were part of a search for hostage remains. The Israeli military claims to have killed or detained militants sheltering in the hospitals, but the issue of who should conduct the investigation remains uncertain.
The United Nations has urged for a thorough and credible investigation into mass graves discovered at hospitals in Gaza following Israeli raids. The organization emphasized the need for access to the sites for credible investigators and for the safety of journalists reporting from the conflict zone. Additionally, the UN’s human rights chief denounced the destruction of medical facilities and the reported deaths, while the US State Department expressed concern about the reports of mass graves.
The United Nations has called for a transparent and credible investigation into the mass graves uncovered at two major hospitals in Gaza, which were raided by Israeli troops during the recent conflict. UN officials, including human rights chief Volker Türk, expressed horror over the destruction of the medical facilities and the discovery of the graves, emphasizing the need for independent and impartial investigations. The US State Department has also expressed concern, while the Israeli military claims the bodies were exhumed as part of a search for hostages. The discovery of the graves adds to the urgency of finding a cease-fire and protecting civilians in the ongoing conflict.
The US State Department is conducting an investigation into potential human rights abuses by the Israeli military during the recent Gaza conflict. US State Secretary Antony Blinken emphasized that the probe adheres to the same standards applied to other countries, rejecting any suggestion of a ‘double standard’.
