Hamas reported that one of its commanders in the occupied West Bank, Mohammed Jaber Abdo, was killed in a clash with Israeli forces. The incident occurred in a village near Ramallah, the headquarters of the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Abdo, who had spent 20 years in Israeli prisons, was killed along with three other fighters.
Israeli Soldiers Killed in Rafah Explosion
Four Israeli soldiers died in an explosion in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip. The soldiers were reportedly killed when explosives they were using to clear a building detonated prematurely, causing it to collapse. Hamas claimed responsibility for booby-trapping the building and attacking the soldiers with mortar rounds after the explosion.
U.N. Cites Possible War Crimes
The U.N. human rights office expressed concerns about possible war crimes committed by both Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups in connection with a deadly raid by Israeli forces that freed four hostages and resulted in the deaths of at least 274 Palestinians. The office cited violations of rules of proportionality, distinction, and precaution.
Blinken Supports U.S. Ceasefire Plan
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the U.N. Security Council's vote in favor of a Gaza ceasefire plan demonstrated global support for the U.S.-backed proposal to end the conflict. The proposal calls for a three-phase plan involving the release of hostages by Hamas in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Current Situation
Violence has escalated in the West Bank since the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza, triggered by Hamas' attack into southern Israel on Oct. 7. Over 530 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank, with most casualties occurring during protests or arrest raids. The situation remains tense as both Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups face allegations of war crimes.
