GAZA CITY: The Israeli military claimed on Thursday that it had killed the head of the Hamas government, Rawhi Mushtaha, in Gaza, as well as two security officials three months ago.
The main Hamas leader the Israeli military named, Rawhi Mushtaha, was a long-time associate of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. In the mid-1980s Rawhi Mushtaha and Yahya Sinwar together formed al-Majd (Glory).
Meanwhile, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said the crisis in the Middle East is a “collective genocide” and that his country has always warned of Israel’s “impunity”.
“It has become crystal clear that what is happening is genocide, in addition to turning the Gaza Strip into an area unfit for human habitation, in preparation for displacement,” Qatar’s Emir said during the Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha.
The Qatari Emir also condemned Israeli air strikes and military operations “against the brotherly Lebanese Republic”.
Meanwhile, the health ministry in Gaza said that at least 41,788 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the ongoing Israeli bombardment campaign in the besieged Palestinian territory since October 7.
The death toll includes 99 deaths recorded in the previous 24 hours alone, the territory’s health ministry said. The health ministry said 96,794 people have been injured in the Gaza Strip since October 7.
“Israeli forces killed 51 people and injured 165 others in five “massacres” of families over the last 24 hours,” the statement said.
Many people remain trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings, with rescuers struggling to reach them amid relentless Israeli airstrikes.
Israel has continued its offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last October 7, despite a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.
The Israeli bombardment has led to widespread displacement, leaving almost the entire population of Gaza without shelter. Ongoing blockades have further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, resulting in severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.
Israel’s actions have sparked serious allegations of genocide, with the International Court of Justice examining the situation. Reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes and a ground operation targeting the Khan Younis area have resulted in substantial casualties.
Witnesses in affected areas have recounted harrowing experiences. One wounded man who reached a hospital described how tanks unexpectedly stormed into his village, leading to chaos and destruction.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted four schools being used as shelters for displaced families in central and northern Gaza. The IDF claimed that Hamas operatives were using these locations as “command and control centres.” However, these strikes resulted in civilian casualties; Palestinian news agency Wafa reported at least nine deaths at Muscat School and multiple fatalities at the Al-Amal Institute for Orphans, where children were among the injured.
Gaza’s Civil Defence officials confirmed that three Palestinians were killed and 15 others injured when Israeli forces bombed Nuseirat Girls’ School, situated in a refugee camp in central Gaza.
