Latest news with #AbdelRahmanAzzam
The Guardian
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Israel-Gaza war live: Israeli forces kill 23, Gaza authorities say, amid IDF warning of major offensive in north
Update: Date: 2025-06-30T06:39:58.000Z Title: Opening summary Content: Israeli airstrikes and gunfire killed 23 people in Gaza on Sunday, the territory's civil defence agency said, as tens of thousands of Palestinian people were fleeing eastern parts of Gaza City after Israel warned of a major assault on the north. Agency spokesperson Mahmud Bassal said at least three children were among those killed in airstrikes at five locations around Gaza and another person died from Israeli fire near an aid distribution centre. On Gaza City in the north, messages on social media from the Israel Defense Forces warned of 'military operations [that] will escalate, intensify and extend westward to the city centre' and directed those living in several crowded neighbourhoods to al-Mawasi, a coastal area much farther south that is already overcrowded and has very limited facilities. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as entire families tried to pack their remaining belongings, tents and meagre stocks of foods on to donkey carts, bicycles, improvised pickup trucks and cars, my colleague Jason Burke reports. In other developments: Mahmud Bassal said two children were killed in an airstrike on their home in Gaza City's Zeitun neighbourhood early on Sunday and 'the house was completely destroyed'. A member of the family, Abdel Rahman Azzam, 45, told AFP he was at home and 'heard a huge explosion at my relative's house'. 'I rushed out in panic and saw the house destroyed and on fire.' Bassal said a drone strike on a tent housing displaced people near the southern city of Khan Younis killed five people including a child. Other casualties included a young man killed 'by Israeli fire this morning while waiting for aid' near a humanitarian distribution centre in the southern city of Rafah, the Gaza civil defence spokesperson said. Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Sunday his country's 'victory' over Iran in their 12-day war had created 'opportunities', including for freeing hostages held in Gaza. The main group representing hostages' families welcomed 'the fact that after 20 months, the return of the hostages has finally been designated as the top priority by the prime minister'. Donald Trump reiterated calls for a swift end to Israel's war on Gaza. 'Make the deal in Gaza, get the hostages back,' the US president posted on his Truth Social platform. Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Qatar and Egypt, are continuing but without clear sign of a breakthrough.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gaza rescuers say Israeli forces kill 23, including children
Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli air strikes and gunfire killed 23 people in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory on Sunday, including at least three children. Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that his services "transported 23 martyrs, including several children and women" killed in various locations around the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military told AFP it was not able to comment on the reported incidents but said it was fighting "to dismantle Hamas military capabilities" in a campaign launched to root out the Islamist militant group after its October 2023 attack on Israel. Bassal said two children were killed in an air strike on their home in Gaza City's Zeitun neighbourhood in the early morning, adding "the house was completely destroyed". A family member, Abdel Rahman Azzam, 45, told AFP he was at home when he "heard a huge explosion at my relative's house". "I rushed out in panic and saw the house destroyed and on fire," he added. "We evacuated more than 20 injured people, including two martyrs -- two children from the family. The screams of children and women were non-stop," Azzam said. "They bombed the house with a missile without any prior warning. This is a horrific crime. We sleep without knowing if we will wake up." Elsewhere, Bassal said a drone strike on a tent housing displaced people near the southern city of Khan Yunis killed five people, including a child, while four more people were killed by Israeli gunfire in Rafah, also in the south. Restrictions on media in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by rescuers. - Israeli soldier killed - The Israeli military said in a statement on Sunday that a 20-year-old soldier was killed "during combat in the northern Gaza Strip". The military had issued an evacuation order earlier in the day for parts of Gaza City and nearby areas in the territory's north. The military "will operate with intense force in these areas, and these military operations will intensify and expand... to destroy the capabilities of the terrorist organisations", military spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a statement on X. He told residents to "evacuate immediately" to the Al-Mawasi area on the southern coast. The civil defence agency later said an Israeli air strike hit a house in Gaza City, killing three people. AFP video footage filmed from southern Israel showed large plumes of smoke rising from northern Gaza. - House destroyed - A resident in the northern town of Jabalia, Ahmed Arar, 60, said his family's house was destroyed after they received a warning it would be bombed from a person identifying himself as an Israeli army officer. "About half an hour later, they bombed the house, and it was completely destroyed," he told AFP by telephone. He said the family had already evacuated the house several days ago due to repeated shelling and air strikes. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 56,500 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The United Nations considers these figures to be reliable. After claiming victory in a 12-day war against Iran that ended with a ceasefire on Tuesday, the Israeli military said it would refocus on its offensive in Gaza, where Palestinian militants still hold Israeli hostages. str-crb/rlp/smw
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Israeli forces kill 17, including children, Gaza rescuers say
Gaza's civil defense agency said Israeli air strikes and gunfire killed at least 17 people including three children in the war-stricken Palestinian territory on Sunday. Civil defense spokesman Mahmoud Bassal told AFP that 16 people died in air strikes at five locations around the Gaza Strip, and another from Israeli fire near an aid distribution center. The Israeli military told AFP it was not able to comment on the reported incidents but said it was fighting 'to dismantle Hamas military capabilities' in a campaign launched in 2023 against the militant group whose attack on Israel triggered the war. Restrictions on media in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by rescuers. Bassal said two children were killed in an air strike on their home in Gaza City's Zeitun neighborhood in the early morning, and 'the house was completely destroyed.' A member of the family, Abdel Rahman Azzam, 45, told AFP he was at home and 'heard a huge explosion at my relative's house.' 'I rushed out in panic and saw the house destroyed and on fire,' he added. 'We evacuated more than 20 injured people, including two martyrs -- two children from the family. The screams of children and women were non-stop,' Azzam said. 'They bombed the house with a missile without any prior warning. This is a horrific crime. We sleep without knowing if we will wake up.' Elsewhere, Bassal said a drone strike on a tent housing displaced people near the southern city of Khan Younis killed five people including a child. He said that other casualties included a young man killed 'by Israeli fire this morning while waiting for aid' near a humanitarian distribution centre in the southern city of Rafah. Evacuation order The Israeli military issued an evacuation order on Sunday for parts of Gaza City and nearby areas in the territory's north, warning of imminent action there. The military 'will operate with intense force in these areas, and these military operations will intensify and expand... to destroy the capabilities of the terrorist organizations,' military spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a statement posted on X. He told residents to 'evacuate immediately south' to al-Mawasi area on the coast. The civil defense agency later said an Israeli air strike hit a house in Gaza City, killing three people. Israel launched its offensive in October 2023 in response to the deadly Hamas attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 56,412 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the territory's health ministry. The United Nations considers these figures to be reliable. After claiming victory in a 12-day war against Iran that ended with a ceasefire on Tuesday, the Israeli military said it would refocus on its offensive in Gaza, where Palestinian militants still hold Israeli hostages.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Gaza rescuers say Israeli forces kill 14, including children
GAZA CITY, June 29 — Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli air strikes and gunfire killed at least 14 people including three children in the war-stricken Palestinian territory today. Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that 13 people died in air strikes at four locations around the Gaza Strip, and another from Israeli fire near an aid distribution centre. The Israeli military told AFP it was not able to comment on the reported incidents but said it was fighting 'to dismantle Hamas military capabilities' in a campaign launched in 2023 against the Islamist militant group whose attack on Israel triggered the war. Restrictions on media in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by rescuers. Bassal said two children were killed in an air strike on their home in Gaza City's Zeitun neighbourhood in the early morning, and 'the house was completely destroyed.' A member of the family, Abdel Rahman Azzam, 45, told AFP he was at home and 'heard a huge explosion at my relative's house'. 'I rushed out in panic and saw the house destroyed and on fire,' he added. 'We evacuated more than 20 injured people, including two martyrs—two children from the family. The screams of children and women were non-stop,' Azzam said. 'They bombed the house with a missile without any prior warning. This is a horrific crime. We sleep without knowing if we will wake up.' Elsewhere, Bassal said a drone strike on a tent housing displaced people near the southern city of Khan Yunis killed five people including a child. He said that other casualties included a young man killed 'by Israeli fire this morning while waiting for aid' near a humanitarian distribution centre in the southern city of Rafah. Gaza evacuation order The Israeli military issued an evacuation order on Sunday for parts of Gaza City and nearby areas in the territory's north, warning of imminent action there. The military 'will operate with intense force in these areas, and these military operations will intensify and expand... to destroy the capabilities of the terrorist organisations', military spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a statement posted on X. He told residents to 'evacuate immediately south' to Al-Mawasi area on the coast. Israel launched its offensive in October 2023 in response to the deadly Hamas attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 56,412 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The United Nations considers these figures to be reliable. After claiming victory in a 12-day war against Iran that ended with a ceasefire on Tuesday, the Israeli military said it would refocus on its offensive in Gaza, where Palestinian militants still hold Israeli hostages. – AFP
Arab News
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Gaza rescuers say Israeli forces kill 14, including children
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories: Gaza's civil defense agency said Israeli air strikes and gunfire killed at least 14 people including three children in the war-stricken Palestinian territory on Sunday. Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal said that 13 people died in air strikes at four locations around the Gaza Strip, and another from Israeli fire near an aid distribution center. The Israeli military said it was not able to comment on the reported incidents but said it was fighting 'to dismantle Hamas military capabilities' in a campaign launched in 2023 against the Islamist militant group whose attack on Israel triggered the war. Restrictions on media in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by rescuers. Bassal said two children were killed in an air strike on their home in Gaza City's Zeitun neighborhood in the early morning, and 'the house was completely destroyed.' A member of the family, Abdel Rahman Azzam, 45, said he was at home and 'heard a huge explosion at my relative's house.' 'I rushed out in panic and saw the house destroyed and on fire,' he added. 'We evacuated more than 20 injured people, including two martyrs — two children from the family. The screams of children and women were non-stop,' Azzam said. 'They bombed the house with a missile without any prior warning. This is a horrific crime. We sleep without knowing if we will wake up.' Elsewhere, Bassal said a drone strike on a tent housing displaced people near the southern city of Khan Yunis killed five people including a child. He said that other casualties included a young man killed 'by Israeli fire this morning while waiting for aid' near a humanitarian distribution center in the southern city of Rafah. The Israeli military issued an evacuation order on Sunday for parts of Gaza City and nearby areas in the territory's north, warning of imminent action there. The military 'will operate with intense force in these areas, and these military operations will intensify and expand... to destroy the capabilities of the terrorist organizations,' military spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a statement posted on X. He told residents to 'evacuate immediately south' to Al-Mawasi area on the coast. Israel launched its offensive in October 2023 in response to the deadly Hamas attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 56,412 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The United Nations considers these figures to be reliable. After claiming victory in a 12-day war against Iran that ended with a ceasefire on Tuesday, the Israeli military said it would refocus on its offensive in Gaza, where Palestinian militants still hold Israeli hostages.
