The Israeli military reported the killing of two Palestinians on Tuesday, accusing them of attempting to launch a shooting attack on Israeli communities from the occupied West Bank. Violent incidents have been on the rise in the West Bank since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza in October. Palestinian health officials stated that Israeli strikes overnight into Tuesday resulted in the deaths of at least 11 individuals.
A cease-fire proposal introduced by United States President Joe Biden has put Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a challenging position. The proposal offers the possibility of ending Israel’s conflict with Hamas, securing the release of numerous hostages held by the militant group, calming tensions on the northern border with Lebanon, and potentially advancing a historic agreement to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia.
Israeli bombings and ground operations in Gaza have led to the deaths of more than 36,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry. The ongoing offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah has severely restricted access to food, medicine, and other essential supplies for the Palestinian population.
Israel initiated the conflict in Gaza following Hamas’ attack on October 7, during which militants entered southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, mostly civilians, and the abduction of around 250 people. The Israeli military confirmed the deaths of four more hostages held by Hamas on Monday. It is estimated that about 80 hostages from the October 7 incident are still alive in Gaza, along with the remains of 43 others.
Current developments include:
– The U.S. calling on the U.N. Security Council to support President Biden’s cease-fire plan in Gaza.
– The proposed Gaza cease-fire putting Netanyahu in a pivotal position that could shape his legacy.
– Iran’s acting top diplomat dismissing the U.S.-proposed Gaza cease-fire deal during a visit to Lebanon.
– Palestinian officials applying to join South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide at the top U.N. court.
– Reports of Israeli airstrikes near Syria’s Aleppo resulting in several casualties, including an Iranian adviser.
– Israel declaring that four additional hostages have perished in Gaza.
For more updates on the Gaza conflict, follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Here is the latest information:
ISRAELI STRIKES KILL 11 PALESTINIANS OVERNIGHT IN THE GAZA STRIP
In the Gaza Strip, Palestinian health officials reported that Israeli airstrikes overnight into Tuesday resulted in the deaths of at least 11 individuals, including a family of three and eight police officers.
A strike on a residence in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza late Monday claimed the lives of two parents and their young daughter. Another strike early Tuesday targeted a police vehicle in Deir al-Balah, leading to the deaths of eight officers from the Hamas-run Interior Ministry.
Israel has stated that it strives to avoid harm to civilians and has placed blame on Hamas for their deaths, citing the placement of fighters, tunnels, and rocket launchers in densely populated areas. The military rarely provides detailed comments on individual strikes.
President Joe Biden presented an Israeli cease-fire plan that the involved parties are considering.
Since the outbreak of hostilities sparked by Hamas’ October 7 attack, more than 36,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and non-combatants. The majority of the deceased are reported to be women and children.
BRUSH FIRES SPARKED BY FIGHTING WITH HEZBOLLAH INJURE 6 SOLDIERS, ISRAELI MILITARY SAYS
The Israeli military confirmed that six soldiers sustained minor injuries in a brush fire in northern Israel ignited by clashes with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
The fire, ongoing since Sunday, was mostly under control by Tuesday, as reported by Israeli Army Radio. Reserve soldiers and equipment were deployed by the Israeli military to aid Israel’s Fire and Rescue services in extinguishing the fire.
Fires triggered by the conflict have sporadically erupted in recent weeks, with this week’s blaze causing significant damage. Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority estimated that around 10,000 dunams (2,500 acres) had been burned in northern Israel this week due to the brush fires.
The Nature and Parks Authority highlighted the substantial harm caused to several nature reserves and parks that will require years to recover. Since late May, nearly 40,000 dunams (9,900 acres) have burned due to multiple brush fires, many initiated by rocket and other projectile fire from Hezbollah.
Sharon Levy, the director of the Golan Region at the Nature and Parks Authority, emphasized that the dry summer conditions were exacerbating the fires.
Hezbollah began launching rockets at Israel following Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on October 7, leading to daily exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah, escalating tensions in the region.
2 PALESTINIANS ARE KILLED IN THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK
The Israeli military reported the killing of two Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, alleging that they were preparing to launch a shooting attack on Israeli communities.
According to the military, the two individuals were shot near the West Bank separation barrier. The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the fatalities, indicating that the incident occurred near Tulkarem.
Recent days have seen a rise in shootings originating from the West Bank towards Israeli communities on the border. The West Bank has experienced a surge in violence since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, with Israel intensifying its efforts against militant activities in the region, resulting in over 500 fatalities, as reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry.
