The Israeli military spokesperson denied reports of an attack in the humanitarian area of Al-Mawasi as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip entered its 251st day, marked by escalating confrontations and a defiant stance from the Palestinian group.
The Israeli military carried out operations overnight in the western Rafah area, employing tanks and combat helicopters. In response to remarks by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding Israel's acceptance of the latest proposal, while Hamas rejected it, the Palestinian group released a statement condemning both Israel and the United States. "While Blinken speaks of Israel's agreement to the proposal – we have not heard a single Israeli official discuss such an agreement," the organization stated.
The situation on the ground remained volatile, with reports of clashes, airstrikes, and naval bombardment. Palestinian sources claimed Israeli strikes from air, sea, and land in the southern Gaza Strip. Rocket and missile alerts were activated in northern Israel, prompting the launch of an interceptor missile towards a suspected target, later identified as a false alarm.
Video: IDF forces attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon / Credit: IDF
In the West Bank city of Jenin, Palestinian reports indicated Israeli military operations. Meanwhile, intense clashes were reported between Palestinian fighters and Israeli soldiers near the Ra'ad al-Atar Mosque in western Rafah, with additional strikes reported in the city's central areas.
Hamas issued a statement declaring its demands within a potential deal for prisoner releases, stating, "At every stage of negotiations for a ceasefire, we expressed a positive approach required to reach a comprehensive and satisfactory agreement based on our people's demands for a permanent ceasefire, complete withdrawal from the strip, return of displaced persons, reconstruction of the strip, and a serious prisoner exchange deal."
Amidst the escalating violence, a fire broke out near coops in the northern Israeli community of Avivim caused by enemy missile fire. The local emergency teams and firefighters eventually gained control over the blaze, though the extent of the damage remained unclear.
In a separate incident, the British Maritime Trade Operations reported that a Greek-owned ship passing near the coasts of Hodeidah, Yemen, was hit twice by waterborne improvised explosive devices, causing significant damage and loss of control. The Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that the ship was sailing towards Israel.
