Dozens of people have been killed in ongoing fighting in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials have said.
A total of 68 people were killed within 24 hours, the Gaza health authority, whose figures don’t distinguish between civilians and combatants, said.
The Israeli military said it forces had eliminated dozens of militants in close combat and in airstrikes during the past day, including a commander of the intelligence unit of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militia.
It was not possible to independently verify the claims by either side.
The Israeli army said the man had been involved in the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and triggered the current conflict.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, at least 40,602 people have been killed and 98,855 injured in the Palestinian coastal area, according to Gaza health authorities.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it is distributing emergency sanitation units in the Gaza Strip amid a deteriorating situation for the approximately 90 percent of the enclave’s population that is forcibly displaced due to Israeli attacks.
"We live a very difficult life like the rest of the displaced. There’s a lack of water, bathrooms, difficulty getting food and other necessities,” said Shahd Abu Samra, a young displaced woman from north Gaza. "There’s a lack of hygiene kits, making them difficult to find. When available, they are very expensive.”
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has claimed four rocket attacks on Israeli positions along the border, but no casualties have been reported so far.
The armed Lebanese group said its fighters launched rockets at a deployment of Israeli enemy soldiers in the vicinity of the Zarit barracks and achieved a direct hit. Hezbollah also targeted soldiers around the settlement of Kfar Yofal, the Dovev barracks, and Talat al-Taihat with rockets, having claimed five attacks so far today.
The Houthis in Yemen have released footage of armed, masked fighters on the deck of the MV Sounion, who later proceed to detonate explosives planted on the ship. The Houthis have said since attacking the oil tanker last week that they will allow an EU-led maritime force in the area to tow away the vessel amid concerns of an environmental disaster. (Agencies)