Israel’s military launched an airstrike on the UN-operated al-Jaouni school in central Gaza on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 people, including women and children. Among the casualties were six staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), marking the highest death toll of UNRWA staff in a single attack during the ongoing 11-month conflict.
In response to ongoing violence, Hamas has expressed willingness to adhere to a US-proposed, UN-backed truce agreement without additional conditions. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued operations in the West Bank, killing at least six Palestinians in a series of raids. Five men were killed in an airstrike in Tubas, targeting individuals with explosives and weapons production facilities. Another Palestinian was killed in Tulkarm during a separate incident.
Since the conflict’s onset in October, over 680 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, including both fighters and civilians, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israeli casualties include around 40 soldiers and civilians.
In another development, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on a Lebanese network accused of smuggling oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to fund Hezbollah. The sanctions target individuals, companies, and vessels linked to Hezbollah’s financing operations.
Additionally, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Iraq to discuss regional security and the Gaza conflict, underscoring the strengthening of ties between the two nations amidst escalating regional tensions. The Gaza conflict has claimed at least 41,084 lives and left 95,029 injured to date.
