According to Gaza health officials, the ongoing conflict has claimed over 44,000 lives so far, causing massive destruction to homes and infrastructure.
Hamas has claimed that its military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, killed approximately 15 Israeli soldiers in northern Gaza’s Beit Lahia. In a press release, the group stated that its fighters targeted an Israeli infantry unit and also struck a Merkava tank near the Safatavi area west of the Jabalia camp. This was reported by the news agency Xinhua. Simultaneously, the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement, announced that it had attacked a group of Israeli soldiers and vehicles near the Jabalia Services Club in central Jabalia camp using 60 mm mortar shells. The Al-Qassam Brigades also said that they had targeted an Israeli Merkava tank with a Tandem shell near the Safatawi area, west of Jabalia camp in northern Gaza.The Israeli military has yet to respond to these claims.
Dutch Foreign Minister Cancels Israel Visit
Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra has canceled his planned visit to Israel following an arrest warrant issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Local media reported that the decision to cancel the trip was made through mutual agreement. Hoekstra was scheduled to visit Israel in the coming days, although specific dates had not been disclosed. Reports suggest the cancellation followed Hoekstra’s remarks hinting at Netanyahu’s possible arrest.
On Thursday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The warrants cite alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. When asked in the Dutch House of Representatives how the Netherlands would respond if Netanyahu visited the country, Hoekstra stated that the Israeli Prime Minister would be arrested.
Following this, Hoekstra announced the cancellation of all non-essential contacts with Netanyahu and Gallant. According to the Xinhua news agency, Hoekstra remarked, “The Netherlands respects the independence of the ICC and does not interfere with its proceedings.”
44,000 Lives Lost in War Between Israel and Hamas
Since the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7 last year, a devastating war has been raging between the two sides. According to Gaza health officials, the ongoing conflict has claimed over 44,000 lives so far, causing massive destruction to homes and infrastructure.
The war began when more than 2,500 Hamas militants launched a large-scale assault on Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis. Additionally, over 250 individuals were taken hostage during the attack.