At least 17 people were killed this morning in an Israeli bombing in the crowded Jabalya district, north of Gaza. This was reported by the Gaza Ministry of the Interior, according to which they are members of the el-Batash family clan, relatives of one of the political leaders of Islamic Jihad. Apparently, according to witnesses on site, there are other victims under the rubble. Local sources add that the inhabitants of Jabalya have so far ignored repeated calls from the Israeli armed forces to move to the south of the Strip, beyond Wadi Gaza.
Israel: ‘No truce during hostage negotiations’
There will be “no ceasefire” in Gaza while the US and Qatar work to free the more than 200 hostages held by Hamas in the besieged enclave: an Israeli army spokesperson, Jonathan Conricus, told CNN. The official said that “were not aware” of US calls for a postponement of Israel’s planned ground operation in Gaza, adding that both Israel and the US want all hostages to be released “as quickly as possible”. allow humanitarian efforts to impact the mission to dismantle Hamas,” he stressed.
Iran-Hamas leaders hold talks on developments in Gaza
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian discussed the latest developments regarding the situation in Gaza with Ismail Haniyeh, chairman of the political bureau of Hamas and one of its most important leaders. This was announced by the Irna news agency, adding that the two examined “all possible ways to put an end to the crimes of the Zionists”.