UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned an Israeli airstrike on a Gaza school shelter that killed 18 people, including six Unrwa staff members. The Israeli military claimed they targeted terrorists inside a Hamas command-and-control center. Unrwa stated that its staff was providing assistance to displaced families in the school. Philippe Lazzarini, head of Unrwa, expressed deep concern over the continuous killing of humanitarian workers in Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas negotiators have expressed readiness for an immediate ceasefire with Israel based on a US proposal. CIA director William Burns is working on a detailed ceasefire plan, but issues like control of the Philadelphi corridor remain unresolved. President Joe Biden criticized the fatal shooting of Turkish American protester Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi by the Israeli Defense Force.
Gaza’s health ministry reported at least 34 deaths and 96 injuries in the past 24 hours due to Israeli attacks. The ministry stated a death toll of 41,118 people since the conflict began on October 7, 2023. The attacks have caused significant civilian casualties, including women and children. International media presence is limited in Gaza, with the Committee to Protect Journalists recording the deaths of numerous journalists and media workers. The UN and Unrwa have emphasized the need to protect civilian infrastructure such as schools and shelters. The situation remains dire in Gaza, with continuous airstrikes resulting in further casualties and destruction.
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