Israel launches overnight strikes across Gaza, civilian casualties reported
Al Jazeera reported that the Israeli military said it had hit Hamas "command facilities" in north and south Gaza, including around Khan Younis and Rafah, in overnight strikes on Thursday. The Health Ministry said at least 27 people had been killed. UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag said civilian damage had been observed and that humanitarian access had been disrupted again.
Al Jazeera said Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Nadav Shoshani stated late on Thursday that more than 35 air strikes had been carried out across an operation that targeted three tunnel-clearing locations: Jabalia camp in northern Gaza, the eastern outskirts of Khan Younis and Rafah. Shoshani said the targets were the "Hamas command echelon". Gaza's Health Ministry said figures from Al-Shuhada Hospital showed at least 27 people had been killed and more than 70 injured.
Al Jazeera reported UN Humanitarian Coordinator Sigrid Kaag said "humanitarian convoys were halted overnight and that 38 trucks were waiting for clearance from the Israeli command centre". International Committee of the Red Cross representative Christian Cardon in Geneva said reconnaissance teams had been sent around civilian hospital and school compounds. Egypt's Foreign Ministry called for borders to remain open for humanitarian channels.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said "a rationale for the operation has been requested from Israeli authorities". No escalation was reported along the Israel-Lebanon border. The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange's TA-35 index closed unchanged and the Israeli shekel eased 0.2 per cent against the dollar. Not investment advice.
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