Key Points
- A Palestinian was killed and 13 others injured after Israeli forces opened fire in Gaza.
- Since the US-brokered ceasefire, at least 395 Palestinians killed and 1,088 injured.
- Over two years of conflict: 70,669 deaths and 171,165 injuries.
- Qatar warns daily Israeli ceasefire violations ‘endanger’ entire Gaza process
- Humanitarian agencies warn that ongoing hostilities are worsening the crisis, impacting civilians, medical services, and infrastructure.
GAZA: A Palestinian was killed, and 13 others were injured after Israeli forces opened fire in Gaza, the Health Ministry reported on Thursday. The incident comes amid ongoing violations of the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Since the ceasefire took effect, at least 395 Palestinians have been killed and 1,088 injured in Israeli attacks, according to the ministry. The continuing violence underscores persistent tensions in the region despite diplomatic efforts to maintain peace.
Over the past two years of conflict in Gaza, the overall toll has reached 70,669 deaths and 171,165 injuries, highlighting the devastating human cost of the ongoing war.
Health officials and humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that continued hostilities are worsening the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, affecting civilians, medical services, and essential infrastructure.
Qatar warns against daily Israeli ceasefire violations
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has warned that daily Israeli violations of the Gaza ceasefire are putting the entire agreement at risk. He called for urgent progress toward the next phase of the deal aimed at ending Israel’s military operations in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
Sheikh Mohammed made the appeal following talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Wednesday, emphasising that “delays and ceasefire violations endanger the entire process and place mediators in a difficult position.” He stressed the importance of swift action to maintain the fragile truce and prevent further escalation.
Families of jailed pro-Palestinian activists on hunger strike
Meanwhile, families, lawyers, and supporters of detained pro-Palestinian activists in Britain have issued an urgent appeal to the government, warning that the lives of their loved ones are at serious risk due to an ongoing hunger strike.
Eight activists joined the strike, which began in early November, and lawyers report that the health of six of them, aged 20 to 31, is deteriorating rapidly. One of the six is participating in a partial hunger strike because of diabetes-related health concerns. Authorities have been urged to act immediately to prevent potentially fatal consequences.
Four of the activists were jailed for their alleged involvement in a break-in at an Israeli-linked defence firm last year. Another four were accused of trespassing at a military air base in central England and damaging two aircraft in protest against Britain’s support for Israel.
All eight individuals were charged with offences allegedly committed on behalf of Palestine Action, which has since been banned and designated a terrorist organisation by the UK government. Families and legal representatives have called on authorities to prioritize the activists’ health and intervene to prevent further deterioration amid mounting concerns for their safety.
Israel conducts strikes on Lebanon
Israel has launched multiple airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon, Lebanese state media reported, targeting sites linked to Hezbollah, including a military compound used for training the group’s members.
Despite a ceasefire brokered in November 2024 aimed at ending over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli forces have continued operations in Lebanon and maintained a presence in five southern areas considered strategically important.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that several strikes hit mountainous regions in the south and east. The Israeli military confirmed it had targeted “infrastructure sites in multiple areas across Lebanon,” specifically citing a Hezbollah military compound used for training purposes. In a separate statement, the military noted a recent strike in Taybeh, southern Lebanon.
The attacks come ahead of a scheduled meeting on Friday of the ceasefire monitoring committee, which includes representatives from the United States and France, as concerns mount over renewed tensions in the region.
