Middle East: Strike in Gaza humanitarian zone kills 11

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 26 people across the Gaza Strip, including two high-ranking officers in the Hamas-run police force, according to Palestinian and hospital officials.

The strike that claimed the lives of Hamas officers targeted an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone and left 11 people dead, including three children.

The Hamas-run interior ministry slammed Israel's "assassination," saying that the two police officers were "performing their humanitarian and national duty" in serving Palestinians.

Israel "continues to spread chaos in the (Gaza) Strip and deepen the human suffering of citizens," the ministry said.

Israel said the attack targeted a senior member of Hamas' internal security apparatus.

Other attacks include one in the southern city of Khan Younis and another on central Gaza's Maghazi refugee camp.

The United Nations (UN) criticized the Palestinian Authority' suspension of the operations and reporters of Qatar-based outlet Al Jazeera.

"We urge the PA to reverse course and respect its international law obligations," the UN’s human rights account on X posted.

The Palestinian Authority suspended Al Jazeera, accusing it of "incitement," and said the move will be reversed as soon as the network acts "in accordance with basic media ethics."

For nearly a month, Palestinian security forces have been conducting a military operation in the Jenin refugee camp targeting what they call "outlaws" among the armed individuals in the camp. 

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate also criticized Al Jazeera's coverage of the clashes, saying it sought to "promote incitement" and "internal discord."

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has ordered the suspension of the Qatar-based Al Jazeera network, accusing it of incitement.

"These measures shall be applied until Al Jazeera chooses to act in accordance with basic media ethics, including its duty to prevent deliberate disinformation, ban the glorification of violence, and end the incitement to armed mutiny," the PA said.

The channel aired images of what appeared to be Palestinian security officers entering the network's office in Ramallah and handing over the suspension orders.

The news channel, on his part, compared the PA’s decision with Israeli practices.

The network is banned from broadcasting in Israel after a long-running feud with the current Israeli government.

Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has resigned from parliament two months after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed him from government, he said in a speech.

"There are moments when you need to stop, assess the situation and choose the course of action in order to achieve required goals," Gallant said, adding he “cannot accept” a bill currently suggested by the Israeli government, which would exempt many ultraorthodox men from compulsory military service again.

Netanyahu dismissed Gallant in November after saying he had lost confidence in him.

Later that month, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for both Gallant and Netanyahu for alleged war crimes relating to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
 

An Israeli airstrike killed eleven people and injured others in the south of the Gaza Strip early morning, according to Palestinian reports.

Israeli fighter jets struck a makeshift tent housing displaced persons in the designated humanitarian area in al-Mawasi, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

The Israeli military said the attack targeted and killed the leader of Hamas' internal security forces who was allegedly hiding in the area, also adding that it had taken measures to protect civilians ahead of the attack.

According to Palestinian figures, more than 45,500 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began after the Hamas-led massacre of around 1,200 people in Israel on October 7, 2023.

ftm/wd (Reuters, AFP, AP, dpa)