- More than half a million women in Gaza face food insecurity, UN says
- Hezbollah drone attack injures 18 Israeli soldiers
- Israeli army bombs Nour Shams camp in occupied West Bank
- Bahrain condemns Israeli expansions of West Bank settlements
- Israel intensifies operations on Shujayea neighbourhood
- Israeli security source says war could last for 'many more months'
- Gaza death toll reaches 37,900, with 87,060 injured
Israeli political uproar after the release of Al Shifa Hospital director
Israeli politicians across the spectrum on Monday criticised the release of the director of Gaza’s Al Shifa Hospital, in which some Israeli hostages were reportedly held after the October 7 attacks.
Mohammad Abu Salmiya, who was arrested by the Israeli military in November, was released along with 55 other Palestinian detainees, according to Palestinian media. After his release, he told media in Gaza that he was tortured and deprived of food while in Israeli prisons.
The move was described as a risk to national security, an insult to hostages and their families and a sign that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is abandoning the captives, an accusation that has become a rallying call for the opposition and civil society in recent months.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said the decision was a “direct continuation of the recklessness and dysfunction of [Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s] government”.
Benny Gantz, who last month left a senior position in a unity government formed by Mr Netanyahu after the war broke out, said the decision was a “moral and ethical error” and called for national elections.
Director of Al Shifa Hospital released from Israeli detention
Mohammad Abu Salmiya, the director of Al Shifa, Gaza's biggest hospital, was released on Monday after six months in Israeli detention.
"Israel arrested and tortured Mohammad Abu Salmiya on baseless accusations, only to release him later with no charges proven," Ramy Abdu, director of the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, said on X.
Israeli army says troops destroyed 1km-long tunnel in central Gaza
The Israeli army said on Monday its troops destroyed a kilometre-long tunnel and killed about 100 militants in the central Gaza Strip in operations over the past few months.
"The tunnel included branches which were used by terrorists to move between different locations underground," the army said.
It added that the troops of the 99th Division had destroyed more than 100 "terrorist" structures, weapons storage facilities, observation posts, launch pits and underground tunnel routes.
The troops also operated against a "booby-trapped mosque that was used as a hideout" for militants in the area, it said.
Diplomatic missions condemn 'largest demolition operation in the West Bank since October 7'
Diplomatic missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah have condemned "the largest demolition operation in the West Bank since October 7".
Representatives from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, EU, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK made a joint visit to the village of Um al Kheir in South Hebron following a mass demolition operation on June 26, a joint statement said.
The delegation called on Israel to halt demolition in Um Al Kheir or Khallet Al Tabe, which it said would be devastating for the communities in the occupied West Bank and could raise the risk of forcible transfer.
They called on Israel to respect all its obligations under Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, including the prohibition on forcible transfer, and reaffirmed their opposition to illegal settlements, which fuel violence and impede any two-state solution.
They also called on Israel to halt demolition and confiscation of Palestinian property in accordance with its obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law.
Israeli soldier killed and nine injured in Rafah, says army
An Israeli soldier was killed in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Monday morning, the Israeli army said.
He was named as Sgt Ori Itzchak Hadad, 21, of the Nahal Brigade’s 931st Battalion, from Beersheba.
Another nine members of the battalion were wounded, one seriously, in the same incident, the army added.
According to an initial military probe, the soldiers were hit by an explosion in a booby-trapped building.
Israel strikes Gaza as militants claim rocket barrage
Israeli forces struck southern Gaza's main city on Monday after a rocket barrage claimed by militant group Islamic Jihad, and as shelling and fighting raged on across the besieged Palestinian territory.
A group of Palestinian detainees meanwhile returned to the Gaza Strip, including the director of its biggest hospital who recounted "severe torture" in Israeli custody.
The Israeli military said that about "20 projectiles were identified crossing from the area of Khan Yunis" in a rare salvo after nearly nine months of devastating conflict.
The rockets were aimed at Israeli communities near the Gaza border and were fired in retaliation for Israeli "crimes... against our Palestinian people", said Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad which has fought alongside Hamas.
Most launches were intercepted, the Israeli military said, reporting no casualties and saying artillery was "striking the sources of the fire".
Elsewhere in Gaza, witnesses and the civil defence agency reported Israeli air strikes including in the southern Rafah area and the central Nuseirat refugee camp.
Witnesses reported constant Israeli tank fire in Gaza City's Shujaiya district where battles raged for a fifth day, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Israeli forces were engaged in a "difficult fight".
The military said troops "eliminated numerous terrorists" in raids in Shujaiya, where air strikes also killed "approximately 20" militants.
Israeli forces were also operating in Rafah and in central Gaza, a statement added.
-AFP
Gaza death toll rises to 37,900 , says Health Ministry
At least 37,900 Palestinians have been killed and 87,060 injured in Israel's war on Gaza since October 7, the enclave's Health Ministry said on Monday.
In the past 24 hours, 23 people were killed and 91 others injured, the ministry added in a statement.
Cross-border raids continue amid increasing Israel-Hezbollah war rhetoric
A build-up of tensions has led to fears of a destructive, full-tilt war that could include thousands of attacks a day, compared to the dozens, sometimes scores a day now.
Some residents of southern Lebanon say the situation already feels like war.
Israel attacked southern Lebanese border towns – Rab Al Talatine, Kafr Kela, and Blida – overnight into Monday.
This followed the injury of 18 Israeli soldiers – one severely – in a Hezbollah-claimed drone strike in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights on Sunday.
As hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza dwindle, so do hopes for one in Lebanon. Hezbollah and its allies have made a ceasefire a condition of a truce in Gaza. The powerful Iran-allied group opened the southern Lebanese front on October 8, in support of its ally Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinians in Israeli detention 'lost 30 kilos' as food withheld
Mohammad Abu Salmiya, the director of Al Shifa, Gaza's biggest hospital, said on Monday that some Palestinians in Israeli detention lost 30kg because food was withheld from them.
"The occupation deprives all prisoners of their rights and medications. Medical personnel associated with the occupation have been beating detainees and violating humanitarian rules," he said.
Benny Gantz against release of Al Shifa hospital director
Benny Gantz, part of Israel's now defunct war cabinet, said on Monday that those who released Al Shifa Hospital's director from custody must be dismissed.
Mr Gantz condemned the release of Muhammad Abu Salmiya and others from detention.
He also called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “close some government offices to free up space and budget for prisoners".
He was addressing reports that 55 detainees were released because Israeli prisons were full.
Israel's Ben Gvir says release of Al Shifa director is 'negligence'
Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's National Security Minister, on Monday confirmed the release of Al Shifa Hospital director Mohammad Abu Salmiya along with "dozens of other terrorists".
He said the release was “security negligence”.
“The time has come for the Prime Minister to stop [Defence Minister Yoav] Gallant and the head of the Shin Bet from conducting an independent policy contrary to the position of the cabinet and the government,” Mr Ben Gvir said on X.
He accused Hamas of using the hospital as a cover for its military operations and infrastructure.
Hamas denies the allegations.
Palestinian group fires 'projectiles' from Khan Younis, Israeli army says
Palestinian militants fired 20 projectiles from Khan Younis into Israel on Monday, the military claimed.
Israeli forces said they were striking back at a suspected launch site.
"Approximately 20 projectiles were identified crossing from the area of Khan Younis. Some of the projectiles were intercepted and others fell inside southern Israel," the military said.
No casualties were reported.
More than half a million women in Gaza face food insecurity, UN says
The United Nations Refugee Agency for Palestinians says that 557,000 women in Gaza are facing severe food insecurity, quoting UN Women.
"Constantly menaced by looming famine, Palestinian mothers struggle to feed their children and themselves," said the UNRWA.
"The difficulties they face every day are immense and growing," it said.
The agency, which been a lifetime for thousands of Palestinians, called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Dozens injured by Israeli fire in Gaza city
Dozens of Palestinians were injured early on Monday by Israeli fire in Gaza city, Palestinian news agency Wafa said.
Medical sources reported that a number of people were injured when an Israeli drone exploded near the Islamic Complex Mosque in the Sabra neighbourhood, said Wafa. It also continued shelling of Shujayea, east of Gaza city.
The Israeli military blew up a building in Al Shakoush, north-west of the southern city of Rafah.
The US Central Command destroys three Houthi drone boats in Red Sea
US forces destroyed three Houthi drone boats in the Red Sea on Sunday, The US Central Command said.
The drones “presented an imminent threat to US and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region,” The US Central Command said.
"These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure," it said.
Tim Lenderking, US envoy to Yemen, has arrived in the Gulf for meetings with senior officials.