Ukraine says it struck key Crimean bridge with underwater blast
Reuters was able to confirm the location from the structure and bearing elements of the bridge that matched satellite and file imagery of the area, but was unable to independently verify when the video was filmed.
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Russian military bloggers said the attack had been unsuccessful and speculated that it had been carried out by a Ukrainian sea drone.
It comes after a Ukrainian drone attack over the weekend damaged or destroyed more than 40 warplanes at airbases deep inside Russia, which Ukrainian officials said was a serious blow to the Kremlin's strategic arsenal and military prestige.
The Russian Defence Ministry acknowledged that Ukrainian attack set several planes ablaze at two airbases but said the military repelled attempted attacks on three other air bases.
Meanwhile, a Russian rocket attack targeted the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Tuesday, killing at least four people and wounding 25, officials said. Local authorities said the barrage of rockets struck apartment buildings and a medical facility in the centre of the city.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the assault, saying it underscored that Moscow has no intentions of halting the three-year-old war.
Russia's state Investigative Committee also accused Ukraine of carrying out 'acts of terrorism' by blowing up two railway bridges in Russia over the weekend. Seven people were killed and 113 injured, including children, when two trains crashed in Russia's Kursk and Bryansk regions as a result of the attacks, the committee said on Telegram.
The attacks come a day after direct peace talks in Istanbul made no progress on ending the fighting. Delegations from the warring sides have agreed to swap dead and wounded troops, but their conditions for ending the war remained far apart.
Dmitry Medvedev, who serves as deputy head of the country's Security Council chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, indicated there would be no let-up in Russia's invasion.
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'The Istanbul talks are not for striking a compromise peace on someone else's delusional terms but for ensuring our swift victory and the complete destruction' of Ukraine's government, he said. In an apparent comment on the latest Ukrainian strikes, he declared that 'retribution is inevitable'.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, responding to suggestions that a face-to-face meeting between Putin, Trump and Zelensky could break the deadlock, says the possibility is 'unlikely in the near future'.
The war has killed more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the United Nations, as well as tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides along the roughly 1000-kilometre front line where the fighting grinds on despite US-led efforts to broker a peace deal.
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7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
A Ukrainian firefighter rushed to the scene of a Russian drone attack. He found his wife, daughter and grandson dead
When the chief of the local fire department was called to a scene of a Russian strike in the central Ukrainian city of Pryluky on Thursday, he and his brigade found five people were killed and nine injured after a drone hit a residential building. Among the dead: the firefighter's wife, his daughter and his baby grandson. 'Three generations… there are no words that can ease this pain,' the Ukrainian National Police said in a statement on Thursday announcing the death of Daryna Shygyda, the firefighter's daughter, who was a serving police officer. 'She was strong, bright and sincere. She was loyal to her oath, fair and had a deep sense of duty — this is how her colleagues and everyone who knew her will remember her,' the police said in a statement, adding that Shygyda joined the force in 2020, when she was 22 years old. 'Becoming a police officer was her dream and vocation. Her firefighter dad taught her to help people since she was a child. And her husband, who is also a patrol officer, always supported and helped in the service. Her son was just one year old. His name was not released, and a photo of the baby shared on social media shows him facing away from the camera, held tightly by his mother and wrapped in a jacket with a wooly winter hat. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the boy was the 632nd child killed by Russia since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy said on Thursday that Russia launched 103 drones and one ballistic missile against the country overnight, targeting multiple regions. At least eight people were killed in the attacks. Speaking about the Shahed drone attack on Pryluky that killed the firefighter's family, Zelenskyy called on Ukraine's western allies to put extra pressure on Moscow. 'This is yet another massive strike by terrorists — Russian terrorists who kill our people every night,' Zelenskyy said on Telegram. 'This is yet another reason to impose maximum sanctions and exert pressure together. Strength matters, and only strength can end this war,' he said, adding that Kyiv 'expect action from the US, Europe and everyone in the world who can truly help change these terrible circumstances.' As the Kremlin continues to speak about peace — most recently on Wednesday, when the Russian President Vladimir Putin told Pope Leo XIV that he had 'interest in achieving peace' — it continues to terrorise Ukrainian civilians with daily aerial attacks. A tally compiled by CNN shows that as of Thursday morning, at least 30 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and more than 150 injured in Russian strikes this week alone, including eight in just the past 24 hours. The attack also comes soon after another phone call between Putin and US President Donald Trump, in which the Russian leader said he would respond to Kyiv's audacious drone attack on Russia's air force. Russia stepped up its airborne attacks against Ukraine in the past few months after it successfully managed to scale up domestic production of its own version of the Iranian -made Shahed drones, the type used most frequently in these attacks. Analysts say the brutal campaign is part of a deliberate strategy by Russia that is designed to create an impression that it has the upper hand in the conflict and undermine Ukraine's morale. The town of Pryluky, where the firefighter's family and two other people were killed overnight, declared two days of mourning on Thursday and Friday, ordering flags to be flown half-mast and black banners displayed on public buildings.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Russian strike kills five following Trump-Putin call
A Russian drone attack has killed the family of the local fire chief in Ukraine's northern town of Pryluky in Chernihiv region, Ukraine's interior minister says. Minister Ihor Klymenko said the attack killed the fire chief's wife, daughter and one-year-old grandson. "On this terrible night, the rescuer was on site with the fire and rescue team to deal with the aftermath of the enemy strikes," he wrote on Telegram, expressing his condolences. The family was among five people killed when Russia launched six drones to attack the town, regional governor Viacheslav Chaus said. Six more people were taken to hospital, he added. The attack came just hours after Donald Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Trump, Putin said "very strongly" that Russia will retaliate for Ukraine's weekend stunning drone attacks on Russian military airfields. Earlier Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy proposed implementing a ceasefire until a meeting can be arranged with Putin. "My proposal, which I believe our partners can support, is that we agree a ceasefire with the Russians until the leaders meet," Zelenskiy told a briefing in Kyiv. "At this time, people will understand that the nations, Europe, Ukraine and the whole world have a chance to end the war," he said, adding that monitoring of the ceasefire could be discussed at the meeting. Zelenskiy said Ukraine would "be grateful" for support for the idea from the US president. After Ukraine bombed bridges and attacked Russia's fleet of nuclear-capable bombers deep in Siberia and Russia's far north, Putin on Wednesday said he did not think Ukraine's leaders wanted peace. Shortly after Putin discussed the attacks with top ministers in Moscow, Trump said he had spoken by telephone with Putin for one hour and 15 minutes, and that they had discussed the Ukrainian attacks and Iran. "We discussed the attack on Russia's docked airplanes, by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides. It was a good conversation but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace," Trump said on social media. Russia has resisted calls from Ukraine and its allies for a ceasefire, saying that certain conditions must first be met. On Wednesday Putin repeated Russia's stance that any ceasefire would simply be used by Ukraine to acquire more foreign weapons. Putin said the attacks on the bridge in Bryansk and another one in Kursk had been directed clearly against the civilian population and that the attacks were evidence that the Ukrainian government "was degenerating into a terrorist organisation, and its sponsors are becoming accomplices of terrorists". "The current Kyiv regime does not need peace at all," Putin said at a televised meeting with senior officials. "What is there to talk about? How can we negotiate with those who rely on terror?" Zelenskiy said President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, which hosted peace talks on Monday, had expressed support for a top-level meeting of the presidents of Ukraine, Russia, the US and Turkey. The June 2 talks in Istanbul made little progress towards ending the three-year-old war in Ukraine although the sides exchanged proposals as well as a plan for another major swap of prisoners of war. Zelenskiy said the POW exchange would begin over the weekend. "The Russian side has informed us that this weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, it can return 500 people," he said. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov has previously said the next exchange would focus on swapping the severely wounded and the young, as well as the bodies of dead soldiers. Zelenskiy's chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on Wednesday he met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington DC during his visit there. "We discussed the situation at the frontline and the need to strengthen support for Ukraine in the area of air defence," he wrote on social media. with AP A Russian drone attack has killed the family of the local fire chief in Ukraine's northern town of Pryluky in Chernihiv region, Ukraine's interior minister says. Minister Ihor Klymenko said the attack killed the fire chief's wife, daughter and one-year-old grandson. "On this terrible night, the rescuer was on site with the fire and rescue team to deal with the aftermath of the enemy strikes," he wrote on Telegram, expressing his condolences. The family was among five people killed when Russia launched six drones to attack the town, regional governor Viacheslav Chaus said. Six more people were taken to hospital, he added. The attack came just hours after Donald Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Trump, Putin said "very strongly" that Russia will retaliate for Ukraine's weekend stunning drone attacks on Russian military airfields. Earlier Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy proposed implementing a ceasefire until a meeting can be arranged with Putin. "My proposal, which I believe our partners can support, is that we agree a ceasefire with the Russians until the leaders meet," Zelenskiy told a briefing in Kyiv. "At this time, people will understand that the nations, Europe, Ukraine and the whole world have a chance to end the war," he said, adding that monitoring of the ceasefire could be discussed at the meeting. Zelenskiy said Ukraine would "be grateful" for support for the idea from the US president. After Ukraine bombed bridges and attacked Russia's fleet of nuclear-capable bombers deep in Siberia and Russia's far north, Putin on Wednesday said he did not think Ukraine's leaders wanted peace. Shortly after Putin discussed the attacks with top ministers in Moscow, Trump said he had spoken by telephone with Putin for one hour and 15 minutes, and that they had discussed the Ukrainian attacks and Iran. "We discussed the attack on Russia's docked airplanes, by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides. It was a good conversation but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace," Trump said on social media. Russia has resisted calls from Ukraine and its allies for a ceasefire, saying that certain conditions must first be met. On Wednesday Putin repeated Russia's stance that any ceasefire would simply be used by Ukraine to acquire more foreign weapons. Putin said the attacks on the bridge in Bryansk and another one in Kursk had been directed clearly against the civilian population and that the attacks were evidence that the Ukrainian government "was degenerating into a terrorist organisation, and its sponsors are becoming accomplices of terrorists". "The current Kyiv regime does not need peace at all," Putin said at a televised meeting with senior officials. "What is there to talk about? How can we negotiate with those who rely on terror?" Zelenskiy said President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, which hosted peace talks on Monday, had expressed support for a top-level meeting of the presidents of Ukraine, Russia, the US and Turkey. The June 2 talks in Istanbul made little progress towards ending the three-year-old war in Ukraine although the sides exchanged proposals as well as a plan for another major swap of prisoners of war. Zelenskiy said the POW exchange would begin over the weekend. "The Russian side has informed us that this weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, it can return 500 people," he said. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov has previously said the next exchange would focus on swapping the severely wounded and the young, as well as the bodies of dead soldiers. Zelenskiy's chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on Wednesday he met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington DC during his visit there. "We discussed the situation at the frontline and the need to strengthen support for Ukraine in the area of air defence," he wrote on social media. with AP A Russian drone attack has killed the family of the local fire chief in Ukraine's northern town of Pryluky in Chernihiv region, Ukraine's interior minister says. Minister Ihor Klymenko said the attack killed the fire chief's wife, daughter and one-year-old grandson. "On this terrible night, the rescuer was on site with the fire and rescue team to deal with the aftermath of the enemy strikes," he wrote on Telegram, expressing his condolences. The family was among five people killed when Russia launched six drones to attack the town, regional governor Viacheslav Chaus said. Six more people were taken to hospital, he added. The attack came just hours after Donald Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Trump, Putin said "very strongly" that Russia will retaliate for Ukraine's weekend stunning drone attacks on Russian military airfields. Earlier Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy proposed implementing a ceasefire until a meeting can be arranged with Putin. "My proposal, which I believe our partners can support, is that we agree a ceasefire with the Russians until the leaders meet," Zelenskiy told a briefing in Kyiv. "At this time, people will understand that the nations, Europe, Ukraine and the whole world have a chance to end the war," he said, adding that monitoring of the ceasefire could be discussed at the meeting. Zelenskiy said Ukraine would "be grateful" for support for the idea from the US president. After Ukraine bombed bridges and attacked Russia's fleet of nuclear-capable bombers deep in Siberia and Russia's far north, Putin on Wednesday said he did not think Ukraine's leaders wanted peace. Shortly after Putin discussed the attacks with top ministers in Moscow, Trump said he had spoken by telephone with Putin for one hour and 15 minutes, and that they had discussed the Ukrainian attacks and Iran. "We discussed the attack on Russia's docked airplanes, by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides. It was a good conversation but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace," Trump said on social media. Russia has resisted calls from Ukraine and its allies for a ceasefire, saying that certain conditions must first be met. On Wednesday Putin repeated Russia's stance that any ceasefire would simply be used by Ukraine to acquire more foreign weapons. Putin said the attacks on the bridge in Bryansk and another one in Kursk had been directed clearly against the civilian population and that the attacks were evidence that the Ukrainian government "was degenerating into a terrorist organisation, and its sponsors are becoming accomplices of terrorists". "The current Kyiv regime does not need peace at all," Putin said at a televised meeting with senior officials. "What is there to talk about? How can we negotiate with those who rely on terror?" Zelenskiy said President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, which hosted peace talks on Monday, had expressed support for a top-level meeting of the presidents of Ukraine, Russia, the US and Turkey. The June 2 talks in Istanbul made little progress towards ending the three-year-old war in Ukraine although the sides exchanged proposals as well as a plan for another major swap of prisoners of war. Zelenskiy said the POW exchange would begin over the weekend. "The Russian side has informed us that this weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, it can return 500 people," he said. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov has previously said the next exchange would focus on swapping the severely wounded and the young, as well as the bodies of dead soldiers. Zelenskiy's chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on Wednesday he met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington DC during his visit there. "We discussed the situation at the frontline and the need to strengthen support for Ukraine in the area of air defence," he wrote on social media. with AP A Russian drone attack has killed the family of the local fire chief in Ukraine's northern town of Pryluky in Chernihiv region, Ukraine's interior minister says. Minister Ihor Klymenko said the attack killed the fire chief's wife, daughter and one-year-old grandson. "On this terrible night, the rescuer was on site with the fire and rescue team to deal with the aftermath of the enemy strikes," he wrote on Telegram, expressing his condolences. The family was among five people killed when Russia launched six drones to attack the town, regional governor Viacheslav Chaus said. Six more people were taken to hospital, he added. The attack came just hours after Donald Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Trump, Putin said "very strongly" that Russia will retaliate for Ukraine's weekend stunning drone attacks on Russian military airfields. Earlier Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy proposed implementing a ceasefire until a meeting can be arranged with Putin. "My proposal, which I believe our partners can support, is that we agree a ceasefire with the Russians until the leaders meet," Zelenskiy told a briefing in Kyiv. "At this time, people will understand that the nations, Europe, Ukraine and the whole world have a chance to end the war," he said, adding that monitoring of the ceasefire could be discussed at the meeting. Zelenskiy said Ukraine would "be grateful" for support for the idea from the US president. After Ukraine bombed bridges and attacked Russia's fleet of nuclear-capable bombers deep in Siberia and Russia's far north, Putin on Wednesday said he did not think Ukraine's leaders wanted peace. Shortly after Putin discussed the attacks with top ministers in Moscow, Trump said he had spoken by telephone with Putin for one hour and 15 minutes, and that they had discussed the Ukrainian attacks and Iran. "We discussed the attack on Russia's docked airplanes, by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides. It was a good conversation but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace," Trump said on social media. Russia has resisted calls from Ukraine and its allies for a ceasefire, saying that certain conditions must first be met. On Wednesday Putin repeated Russia's stance that any ceasefire would simply be used by Ukraine to acquire more foreign weapons. Putin said the attacks on the bridge in Bryansk and another one in Kursk had been directed clearly against the civilian population and that the attacks were evidence that the Ukrainian government "was degenerating into a terrorist organisation, and its sponsors are becoming accomplices of terrorists". "The current Kyiv regime does not need peace at all," Putin said at a televised meeting with senior officials. "What is there to talk about? How can we negotiate with those who rely on terror?" Zelenskiy said President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, which hosted peace talks on Monday, had expressed support for a top-level meeting of the presidents of Ukraine, Russia, the US and Turkey. The June 2 talks in Istanbul made little progress towards ending the three-year-old war in Ukraine although the sides exchanged proposals as well as a plan for another major swap of prisoners of war. Zelenskiy said the POW exchange would begin over the weekend. "The Russian side has informed us that this weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, it can return 500 people," he said. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov has previously said the next exchange would focus on swapping the severely wounded and the young, as well as the bodies of dead soldiers. Zelenskiy's chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on Wednesday he met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington DC during his visit there. "We discussed the situation at the frontline and the need to strengthen support for Ukraine in the area of air defence," he wrote on social media. with AP
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Israel recovers bodies of two hostages held by Hamas
Israel says it has recovered the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages taken by the Islamist militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023. Gadi Hagi and his wife Judy Weinstein-Hagi were killed and taken to Gaza after Hamas' attack that triggered the war. The Israeli army said in a statement the bodies of the husband and wife were recovered from Khan Younis area in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the remains were returned to Israel in a special operation by the army and the Shin Bet internal security agency. "Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families. Our hearts ache for the most terrible loss. May their memory be blessed," he said in a statement. The Israeli military has intensified its operations in Gaza since breaking a fragile ceasefire with Hamas in March, taking more territory with the government pushing to wipe out the militant group. Ffity-six hostages are still held by Hamas, with fewer than half believed to be alive, according to Israeli estimates. Seperately, at least 16 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza on Thursday, including four journalists in a hospital strike in the enclave's north, local health authorities Israeli military had no immediate comment. On Wednesday, the United States vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza and unhindered aid access across the war-torn enclave. The other 14 countries on the council voted in favour of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than two million people, where famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade last month. "The United States has been clear: We would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza," Acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea told the council before the vote, arguing it would also undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. Washington is Israel's biggest ally and arms supplier. The Security Council vote came as Israel pushes ahead with an offensive in Gaza after ending a two-month truce in March. Britain's UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward criticised the Israeli government's decisions to expand its military operations in Gaza and severely restrict humanitarian aid as "unjustifiable, disproportionate and counterproductive." Israel has rejected calls for an unconditional or permanent ceasefire, saying Hamas cannot stay in Gaza. Hamas condemned the US veto, describing it as showing "the US administration's blind bias" towards Israel. The draft Security Council resolution had also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and others. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. They say civilians have borne the brunt of the attacks and that thousands more bodies have been lost under rubble. with AP Israel says it has recovered the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages taken by the Islamist militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023. Gadi Hagi and his wife Judy Weinstein-Hagi were killed and taken to Gaza after Hamas' attack that triggered the war. The Israeli army said in a statement the bodies of the husband and wife were recovered from Khan Younis area in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the remains were returned to Israel in a special operation by the army and the Shin Bet internal security agency. "Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families. Our hearts ache for the most terrible loss. May their memory be blessed," he said in a statement. The Israeli military has intensified its operations in Gaza since breaking a fragile ceasefire with Hamas in March, taking more territory with the government pushing to wipe out the militant group. Ffity-six hostages are still held by Hamas, with fewer than half believed to be alive, according to Israeli estimates. Seperately, at least 16 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza on Thursday, including four journalists in a hospital strike in the enclave's north, local health authorities Israeli military had no immediate comment. On Wednesday, the United States vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza and unhindered aid access across the war-torn enclave. The other 14 countries on the council voted in favour of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than two million people, where famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade last month. "The United States has been clear: We would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza," Acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea told the council before the vote, arguing it would also undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. Washington is Israel's biggest ally and arms supplier. The Security Council vote came as Israel pushes ahead with an offensive in Gaza after ending a two-month truce in March. Britain's UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward criticised the Israeli government's decisions to expand its military operations in Gaza and severely restrict humanitarian aid as "unjustifiable, disproportionate and counterproductive." Israel has rejected calls for an unconditional or permanent ceasefire, saying Hamas cannot stay in Gaza. Hamas condemned the US veto, describing it as showing "the US administration's blind bias" towards Israel. The draft Security Council resolution had also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and others. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. They say civilians have borne the brunt of the attacks and that thousands more bodies have been lost under rubble. with AP Israel says it has recovered the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages taken by the Islamist militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023. Gadi Hagi and his wife Judy Weinstein-Hagi were killed and taken to Gaza after Hamas' attack that triggered the war. The Israeli army said in a statement the bodies of the husband and wife were recovered from Khan Younis area in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the remains were returned to Israel in a special operation by the army and the Shin Bet internal security agency. "Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families. Our hearts ache for the most terrible loss. May their memory be blessed," he said in a statement. The Israeli military has intensified its operations in Gaza since breaking a fragile ceasefire with Hamas in March, taking more territory with the government pushing to wipe out the militant group. Ffity-six hostages are still held by Hamas, with fewer than half believed to be alive, according to Israeli estimates. Seperately, at least 16 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza on Thursday, including four journalists in a hospital strike in the enclave's north, local health authorities Israeli military had no immediate comment. On Wednesday, the United States vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza and unhindered aid access across the war-torn enclave. The other 14 countries on the council voted in favour of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than two million people, where famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade last month. "The United States has been clear: We would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza," Acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea told the council before the vote, arguing it would also undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. Washington is Israel's biggest ally and arms supplier. The Security Council vote came as Israel pushes ahead with an offensive in Gaza after ending a two-month truce in March. Britain's UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward criticised the Israeli government's decisions to expand its military operations in Gaza and severely restrict humanitarian aid as "unjustifiable, disproportionate and counterproductive." Israel has rejected calls for an unconditional or permanent ceasefire, saying Hamas cannot stay in Gaza. Hamas condemned the US veto, describing it as showing "the US administration's blind bias" towards Israel. The draft Security Council resolution had also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and others. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. They say civilians have borne the brunt of the attacks and that thousands more bodies have been lost under rubble. with AP Israel says it has recovered the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages taken by the Islamist militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023. Gadi Hagi and his wife Judy Weinstein-Hagi were killed and taken to Gaza after Hamas' attack that triggered the war. The Israeli army said in a statement the bodies of the husband and wife were recovered from Khan Younis area in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the remains were returned to Israel in a special operation by the army and the Shin Bet internal security agency. "Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families. Our hearts ache for the most terrible loss. May their memory be blessed," he said in a statement. The Israeli military has intensified its operations in Gaza since breaking a fragile ceasefire with Hamas in March, taking more territory with the government pushing to wipe out the militant group. Ffity-six hostages are still held by Hamas, with fewer than half believed to be alive, according to Israeli estimates. Seperately, at least 16 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza on Thursday, including four journalists in a hospital strike in the enclave's north, local health authorities Israeli military had no immediate comment. On Wednesday, the United States vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza and unhindered aid access across the war-torn enclave. The other 14 countries on the council voted in favour of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than two million people, where famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade last month. "The United States has been clear: We would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza," Acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea told the council before the vote, arguing it would also undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. Washington is Israel's biggest ally and arms supplier. The Security Council vote came as Israel pushes ahead with an offensive in Gaza after ending a two-month truce in March. Britain's UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward criticised the Israeli government's decisions to expand its military operations in Gaza and severely restrict humanitarian aid as "unjustifiable, disproportionate and counterproductive." Israel has rejected calls for an unconditional or permanent ceasefire, saying Hamas cannot stay in Gaza. Hamas condemned the US veto, describing it as showing "the US administration's blind bias" towards Israel. The draft Security Council resolution had also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and others. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. They say civilians have borne the brunt of the attacks and that thousands more bodies have been lost under rubble. with AP
