At least 23 killed as Israel, Hamas trade blame for ceasefire delay
- Hamas and Israel traded blame over failure to conclude a ceasefire agreement despite progress reported by both sides in past days.
- Israel has killed at least 23 Palestinians and wounded 39 across Gaza in the past 24 hours.
Israeli raid continues in Tulkarem
Here is a reminder that there have been Israeli attacks and raids in Tulkarem in the northern West Bank since dawn on Tuesday.
Seven people have been killed in an Israeli drone attack and shooting by troops in the Tulkarem refugee camp. One person was killed in the nearby Nur Shams camp, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.
The Palestine Red Crescent also reported that a Palestinian was wounded by Israeli gunfire during a raid today.
Local sources told our colleagues on the ground that Israeli special forces are raiding a house in the town of Qaffin, north of Tulkarem.
Katz says Israel to maintain security control of Gaza Strip: Report
Israeli newspaper Haaretz is reporting that during a visit to the Philadelphi Corridor, Defence Minister Israel Katz said that security control in Gaza will remain in the hands of the Israeli military.
The Philadelphi Corridor, also known as the Philadelphi Route, is the 14km (8.7-mile) long strip of land representing the entire border area between Gaza and Egypt.
Katz is quoted as saying Israel will ensure “security areas, buffer zones and controlling positions that will guarantee the safety of the communities [near the border]”.
Katz is also reported to have said Hamas will no longer exist in Gaza as a military or governing force.
