Gaza - Brussels: Europe and Arabs - Agencies
The Israeli army announced the killing of the commander of the 932nd Company of the Nahal Brigade in battles in Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip. The army radio said that he was killed along with his deputy who was supposed to succeed him.
As the war entered its 459th day, and during the early hours of dawn, the Israeli army targeted two houses in the Shati and Nuseirat camps, in addition to a tent housing displaced persons in the Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip, resulting in deaths and injuries.
Israeli warplanes also launched violent raids on the town of Tamoun, south of Tubas in the West Bank. According to the Euronews news website in Brussels,
Israeli Channel 12 said that negotiations in Gaza had witnessed significant progress regarding the return of the displaced to the north of the Strip, as Tel Aviv will allow the Palestinians to return on condition that they undergo inspection at the "Netzarim" axis by an independent international body that it did not specify, which the channel described as an "achievement" for Hamas. This came as the Israeli army radio announced: A soldier was seriously injured last night during an armed clash in the village of Talluza near Nablus, while the Iranian Foreign Minister said: "The enemies should not think that the resistance being hit will weaken it, but rather will make it stronger."
For its part, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said: "Imagine watching your child die of cold before your eyes... This should not happen in the 21st century. Your child should die just because he needs a blanket, warm clothes or shoes."
While the World Food Program strongly condemned the "horrific incident" that occurred on Sunday in Gaza when a convoy - clearly marked as belonging to the program - came under fire from Israeli forces near the Wadi Gaza checkpoint.
The World Food Program said in a press release that the incident put the lives of its employees at great risk and led to the disruption of vehicles that were hit by at least 16 bullets. The program stated that the convoy - which consisted of 3 vehicles carrying 8 employees - came under hostile fire despite having obtained all necessary approvals from the Israeli authorities.
The program stated that its employees were not injured in this incident “Horrific.” He said the unacceptable act was the latest example of the complex and dangerous environment in which WFP and other humanitarian agencies operate. He stressed the urgent need for improved security in Gaza in order to continue life-saving humanitarian assistance. The UN World Food Programme urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians and allow safe passage of humanitarian aid.