GAZA CITY: The health ministry in Gaza said Saturday that at least 43,799 people have been killed in more than 13 months of war between Israel and Hamas.
The toll includes 35 deaths in the previous 24 hours, according to the ministry, which said 103,601 people have been wounded in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023.
Vowing to stop Hamas from regrouping in north Gaza, Israel in October this year began a major air and ground assault there.
The Israeli army said earlier on Saturday that its troops continued “their operational activity” in the northern areas of Jabalia and Beit Lahia.
The military said “Over the past day, the troops continued to operate in the Rafah area.
Meanwhile, spokesperson for the UN chief, Stephane Dujarric, said that the international humanitarian law mandates that civilians must be allowed to receive assistance “wherever they are”.
“The World Health Organization tells us that Israel authorities continue to deny the agency’s request to access the Kamal Adwan and the al-Awda hospitals in north Gaza governorate,” Stephane Dujarric said as quoted by Al Jazeera.
Foreign ministers of the European Union will discuss proposals to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements and suspend political dialogue with Israel, Al Jazeera reported.
The bloc’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, announced he is proposing the measures because of the many violations of international law committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
On Friday, Hamas official Dr. Basem Naim told the Sky News show “The World With Yalda Hakim” that the last “well-defined, brokered deal” was put on the table between the two warring sides on July 2.
The Hamas official said that Israel has not put forward any “serious proposals” for a ceasefire since the assassination of its leader Ismail Haniyeh, despite the group being ready for one “immediately.”
