
Israeli undercover force detains senior Gaza health official
CAIRO : An Israeli undercover force detained Marwan Al-Hams, a senior Gaza health ministry official, outside the field hospital of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday, the health ministry said.
Hams, in charge of field hospitals in the enclave, was on his way to visit the ICRC field hospital in northern Rafah when an Israeli force 'abducted' him after opening fire, killing one person and wounding another civilian nearby, according to the ministry.
Medics said the person killed was a local journalist who was filming an interview with Hams when the incident happened.
The Israeli military and the Red Cross did not immediately respond following separate requests by Reuters for comment.
Israel has raided and attacked hospitals across the Gaza Strip during the 21-month war in Gaza, accusing Hamas of using them for military purposes, an accusation the group denies. But sending undercover forces to carry out arrests has been rare.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Israel and US recall teams from Gaza ceasefire talks after Hamas response
JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel remains committed to securing a Gaza ceasefire despite recalling negotiators, blaming Hamas for prolonging nearly two years of conflict. Mediators have been facilitating indirect talks in Qatar for over two weeks, but no agreement has been reached. International concern is mounting over Gaza's humanitarian crisis, with warnings of 'mass starvation' affecting over two million Palestinians. Hamas submitted amendments to the latest ceasefire proposal, including demands on aid entry, Israeli troop withdrawals, and war-ending guarantees. Netanyahu, however, accused Hamas of misinterpreting Israel's commitment. 'We are working to release our hostages,' Netanyahu said. 'But if Hamas thinks our willingness to negotiate is weakness, they are mistaken.' A Palestinian source familiar with the talks revealed Hamas's proposed changes, but US envoy Steve Witkoff accused the group of not negotiating in good faith. In Khan Yunis, grieving mother Umm al-Abd Nassar urged Hamas to secure peace after her son was killed in Israeli airstrikes. 'They need to act. Enough destruction and death,' she told AFP. The conflict, now in its 21st month, has seen both sides hold firm on key demands. Israel insists on dismantling Hamas's military capabilities, while Hamas demands a permanent truce, full troop withdrawal, and unrestricted aid. Israel denies responsibility for Gaza's hunger crisis, blaming Hamas for aid disruptions. Meanwhile, international agencies report severe logistical challenges in aid distribution. The Gaza health ministry reports 59,587 Palestinian deaths, mostly civilians, since the war began. - AFP


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Three quarters of UN states now recognise Palestinian statehood
PARIS: Three quarters of United Nations member states now recognise a Palestinian state, with France announcing it will formally join them in September. The move marks a significant shift in international diplomacy amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which has intensified global calls for Palestinian self-determination. According to an AFP tally, at least 142 out of 193 UN members have recognised or plan to recognise Palestine as a sovereign state. This includes most Middle Eastern, African, Latin American, and Asian nations, though major Western powers like the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan remain holdouts. The push for Palestinian statehood dates back decades. In 1988, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat unilaterally declared independence, with Algeria becoming the first nation to formally recognise it. A wave of recognitions followed, particularly in 2010-2011 when South American nations endorsed Palestinian claims after Israel resumed West Bank settlement construction. In 2012, the UN General Assembly upgraded Palestine's status to a 'non-member observer state,' allowing its flag to fly at UN headquarters. More recently, European nations like Norway, Spain, and Ireland have recognised Palestine, signalling growing frustration with stalled peace talks. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently called for a Gaza ceasefire, suggesting it could pave the way for Palestinian statehood recognition. Malta, Australia, and Canada are also considering the move. - AFP


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Britain, France, Germany to discuss Gaza crisis in emergency call
LONDON: Britain, France, and Germany will hold an emergency call on Friday to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed. The discussions will focus on securing a ceasefire and advancing steps toward Palestinian statehood. Starmer stated, 'I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners tomorrow, where we will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace.' He emphasized that a ceasefire is crucial for achieving a two-state solution, ensuring peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis. The UK leader described the situation in Gaza as reaching 'new depths and continues to worsen,' 21 months after the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered Israel's military response. 'The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible,' Starmer said. 'We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe.' International pressure is mounting on Israel to allow a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, where over two million Palestinians face severe shortages and warnings of famine. Indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas in Qatar have yet to yield concrete results. - AFP