0345 GMT — Israeli forces have encircled southern Gaza’s main city, Khan Younis, after carrying out some of the most intense strikes so far in the two-month war.
Israel turned its focus to the besieged territory’s south, telling Palestinians to flee, following fierce fighting and bombardment that reduced much of the north to rubble and forced nearly two million people out of their homes.
Israeli tanks, armoured personnel carriers and bulldozers were seen near the southern city, forcing already displaced civilians to pack up and flee again, witnesses told AFP.
0437 GMT — Israeli gunfire kills two Palestinians in occupied West Bank
Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire early in the day in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
The Red Crescent said three others were wounded in the Israeli incursions into the Al Fara’a refugee camp and the town of Tamun.
0147 GMT — Israel to keep control of Gaza’s security after war: Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the Israeli army will retain control of besieged Gaza’s security after the war, rejecting the possibility of giving that responsibility to an international force.
Speaking at a news conference after a meeting with his war cabinet, Netanyahu said Gaza “must be demilitarised” after the war ends.
“And in order for Gaza to be demilitarised, there is only one force that can see to this demilitarisation – and that force is the IDF,” he said, referring to the Israeli army, adding “no international force can be responsible for this.”
0049 GMT — Israel revokes UN humanitarian official’s visa
Israel has announced that it decided to revoke the residence visa of UN Humanitarian Coordinator Lynn Hastings over her position concerning the Palestinian group Hamas’ October 7 surprise blitz.
“Someone who did not condemn Hamas for the brutal massacre of 1,200 Israelis, for the kidnapping of babies and the elderly and for the horrific acts of abuse and rape, and for using the residents of Gaza as human shields, but instead condemns Israel, a democratic country that protects its citizens, cannot serve in the UN and cannot enter Israel!” Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen wrote on X, accusing the UN of bias.
The move came amid growing criticism from the UN over Israel’s war on besieged Gaza, which has killed more than 16,000 Palestinians.
