In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, 62 Palestinians have been killed and 138 injured over the past 24 hours, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The latest Israeli attacks targeted the besieged enclave, specifically the areas of Jibaliya and Beit Lahia.
The violence has prompted international responses, with Ireland, Spain, and Norway announcing their recognition of Palestine as a state and urging other nations to follow suit.
The Israeli army reported the deaths of three soldiers—identified by their ranks as major, captain, and sergeant. Additionally, two soldiers were seriously injured, one during an operational accident on Israel’s northern border. Although Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah frequently claim responsibility for attacks on Israeli soldiers, the Israeli army officially acknowledges only a limited number of such casualties.
In related developments, a group of 16 countries has introduced a “statement of shared commitments” to support UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. This initiative seeks to reinforce the agency, which has faced accusations from Israel regarding its staff’s alleged involvement in attacks on October 7. An independent investigation found insufficient evidence to substantiate these claims. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, hailed the initiative as a crucial step in rebuilding support for UNRWA.