Gaza's Health Ministry reports that Israel's military campaign has resulted in over 39,000 Palestinian deaths and upwards of 89,800 injuries, with no distinction between combatants and civilians. This update coincides with the evacuation of a designated humanitarian zone in Gaza announced by the Israeli military, which is planning an operation against Hamas militants in the area. Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing the region, many for the seventh or eighth time.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is traveling to the US to address Congress amid these developments. His visit aims to bolster support and discuss ongoing negotiations for a cease-fire, spearheaded by Egypt, Qatar, and the US. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel and the US stand united, regardless of future political shifts.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. The United Nations has accused Israel of targeting a UN convoy. Philippe Lazzarini of UNRWA condemned this act, stating that the movement was coordinated with Israeli forces. Gaza now contends with the polio virus, adding to the already dire conditions.
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In additional news, Israeli officials reported the likely deaths of two hostages, Yagev Buchshtab and Alex Dancyg, who were kidnapped on Oct. 7 and are believed to no longer be alive based on intelligence. Netanyahu has reiterated his commitment to defeating Hamas and securing the return of remaining hostages. Meanwhile, an incident near the Gaza border resulted in the death of a Canadian citizen who allegedly exited his vehicle and threatened Israeli soldiers with a knife. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)