Middle East conflict live updates: Lack of notice from Israel over Syria strike frustrates U.S.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is directing government employees and their families to remain within designated areas after threats by Iran following the strike in Syria that killed seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members. Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility for the attack.
Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, was in Israel on Thursday, a Pentagon spokesperson said, as the allies coordinate on preparing forIran’s threatened retaliation.
Hamas says it needs more“time and safety” to get a full accounting of the hostages held in Gaza, amid protracted negotiations over a cease-fire and hostage release proposal with Israel. Hamas official Basem Naim said the hostages are in different places held by “different groups” and some “are under the rubble killed with our own people.”
As international pressure mounts, Israel said it is beginning construction of a new crossing to bring aid into northern Gaza. Humanitarian officials have raised doubts of the feasibility of Israel’s commitment to open the existing Erez crossing for aid, as it has primarily been used for foot traffic.
There was “no consensus” at a U.N. Security Council committee meeting to discuss the Palestinian Authority’s long-stalled bid to join the United Nations as a full member, Malta’s U.N. envoy and current council president Vanessa Frazier told reporters, though she said the majority was “very clearly in favor” of moving toward membership.
At least 33,545 people have been killed and 76,094 injured in Gaza since the war began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants and says the majority of the dead are women and children.
Israel estimates that about 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, including more than 300 soldiers, and says 260 soldiers have been killed since the start of its military operation in Gaza.