At least 54 Palestinians have been killed in the past 24 hours as Israel intensifies its military strikes on central Gaza.
Israel’s military attacked another United Nations-run school and an Israeli-designated “safe zone” in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 42 Palestinians and injuring dozens more.
Israel killed at least 25 Palestinians in al-Razi and 17 in al-Mawasi, with more than 70 wounded in the attacks, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office. A third Israeli strike on Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza killed five additional Palestinians, officials reported. The bombing of al-Razi marks the sixth Israeli attack on UN-affiliated schools and agencies in the past 10 days.
Meanwhile, a new report from Oxfam highlights the severity of the crisis, stating that Israel has reduced the water supply to Gaza by 94%, creating a “deadly health catastrophe.” The report details how the Israeli military has systematically destroyed water facilities and obstructed aid, leaving Gaza residents with a mere 4.74 liters of water per person per day—less than one-third of the minimum recommended in emergencies and insufficient for basic sanitation.
Oxfam’s findings reveal that since 7 October, Israel has damaged or destroyed five water and sanitation infrastructure sites every three days. Water production in Gaza has dropped by 84%, with significant damage to 88% of water wells and 100% of wastewater treatment plants.
Saudi Arabia has condemned the ongoing Israeli attacks, describing them as “part of a series of repeated violations by the Israeli war machine against defenseless civilians.”
In Yemen, a senior Houthi official has proposed a potential de-escalation measure. Mohammed Ali al-Houthi stated on X (formerly Twitter) that if Israel allows desperately needed humanitarian aid into northern Gaza, the militia will cease some attacks on ships visiting the Umm al-Rashrash port, known in Israel as Eilat. Al-Houthi suggested that Egyptian and Qatari mediators could facilitate a deal with Israel, involving Palestinian armed groups in the discussions.
The Houthis have targeted Israel-linked cargo vessels with missile and drone strikes in support of Palestinians, promising to continue their attacks until Israel ends its war on Gaza.
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli military actions continue to displace and disrupt Palestinian lives. Four structures belonging to a Palestinian resident in Jericho were demolished under the pretext of “unauthorised” construction, according to Wafa news agency. Additionally, Israeli authorities have issued a demolition notice for a residential building in Kafr Aqab, north of Jerusalem, which was still under construction.
The Wall and Settlement Resistance Authority reports that Israeli forces have demolished 318 structures in the West Bank during the first half of 2024, compared to 313 demolitions throughout 2023.
At least 38,848 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and 89,459 wounded since Israel started its attacks on Gaza.