Israeli army kill 2 Palestinians in Rafah
Our colleagues on the ground are reporting that an Israeli army attack has killed two people in Rafah’s city centre.
The attack follows a spate of deadly attacks in southern Gaza yesterday, including one that killed a woman in Khan Younis.
Israeli attack wounds 3 Palestinians near Khan Younis
We are getting reports of more casualties in southern Gaza.
According to Wafa, three people were wounded when a helicopter fired a missile towards al-Mawasi, near Khan Younis. Israeli helicopters continue to hover in the skies of western Rafah.
At the same time, Israeli forces have opened fire intensively in northern Gaza, to the east of Jabalia, Wafa reported.
‘Ceasefire must hold’: UNICEF
Israel’s blocking of aid into Gaza will be “devastating” for the enclave, where seven newborn babies have reportedly died from hypothermia in the past week, according to UNICEF.
“The aid restrictions announced yesterday will severely compromise lifesaving operations for civilians,” said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “It is imperative that the ceasefire – a critical lifeline for children – remains in place, and that aid is allowed to flow freely so we can continue to scale up the humanitarian response.
“The ceasefire must hold and more aid must be allowed in to prevent further suffering and loss of life.”
Children stand near makeshift tents in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza
Netanyahu says he rejected Hamas’s permanent ceasefire plan
Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu acknowledged that he had rejected a ceasefire plan put forward by Hamas as he continued to threaten a return to the war if the Palestinian group did not accept the alternative US-led proposal.
Netanyahu said Hamas has “put forward positions for a permanent ceasefire that are totally unacceptable” while warning it of “further steps” if it continues holding Israeli captives.
“Israel knows that America and President Trump have our back,” he said in a recorded message.
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