At least 25 individuals were killed in Israeli airstrikes throughout Gaza on Friday, according to hospital staff, with some of the victims being children. This occurred during the inaugural public appearance of the newly appointed U.S. ambassador to Israel in Jerusalem.
According to Nasser Hospital, which received the deceased, 15 individuals lost their lives in three attacks on the southern town of Khan Younis. Additionally, ten people died in Jabaliya; among them were eight who came from the same residence, as reported by the Indonesian Hospital where the bodies were transported.
The airstrikes occurred one day following the deaths of over two dozen individuals in Gaza, where Israel was continuing its assaults. This increased pressure on Hamas to relinquish their weapons and release the hostages they seized in October 2023.
Ambassador arrives in Jerusalem
U.S. Ambassador
Mike Huckabee
He visited the Western Wall on Friday, the most sacred Jewish place of worship in Jerusalem’s Old City. He placed a prayer slip between the stones at the wall, claiming it was penned by U.S. President Donald Trump. “These are his initials, D.T.,” Huckabee explained as he showed the note to reporters.
As his initial duty as an ambassador, Huckabee mentioned that Trump instructed him to pray for the tranquility of Jerusalem. He further stated that all possible measures were being taken to repatriate the remaining hostages still held captive by Hamas. Although he once ran for president, Huckabee admitted that he had previously backed Israel’s right to annex the West Bank and assimilate its Palestinian inhabitants within Israel; however, he clarified that such action would not fall under his authority to implement this policy.
During his first term,
Trump recognized Jerusalem
as Israel’s capital over Palestinian objections and moved the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv. Palestinians seek the eastern part of the city, captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, as their future capital.
Mike Huckabee’s appearance happens during a crucial phase of the 18-month conflict, just when international intermediaries, including the U.S., are attempting to restore a shattered truce.
Israel is demanding that Hamas release more hostages at the start of any new ceasefire and ultimately agree to disarm and leave the territory. Israel has said it plans to occupy large “security zones” inside Gaza.
Khalil al-Hayya, who leads Hamas’ negotiation team, stated on Thursday that his organization has turned down Israel’s most recent offer. He reaffirmed Hamas’ position that they would hand over hostages solely in return for releasing additional Palestinian detainees, complete Israeli withdrawal, and an enduring cessation of hostilities—demands consistent with the defunct cease-fire deal established in January.
Hamas currently holds 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive.
The airstrikes on Friday occurred one day following actions by aid organizations.
raised alarm
over Israel’s blockade of of Gaza, where it has barred entry of all food and other goods for more than six weeks. Thousands of children have become malnourished, and most people are barely eating one meal a day as stocks dwindle, the United Nations said.
Israel’s Defense Minister says the blockade is one of the “central pressure tactics” against Hamas, which Israel accuses of siphoning off aid to maintain its rule. Aid workers deny there is significant diversion of aid, saying the U.N. closely monitors distribution. Rights groups have called it a “starvation tactic.”
Gaza’s Christians mark Good Friday
As Israel continued its offensive, Palestinian Christians gathered inside Gaza’s Greek Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrios to mark the Good Friday holiday. Worshippers clad in black bowed their heads in prayer and lit votive candles to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus.
A building in the St. Porphyrios compound was hit soon after the war began in October 2023, killing more than a dozen people taking refuge there. Friday’s holiday was the second Good Friday celebrated in Gaza since then. St. Porphyrios is believed to be the third oldest church in the world, according to the World Council of Churches.
Prior to the onset of the conflict, Gaza was inhabited by approximately 1,300 Christians, as reported by the U.S. State Department.
The conflict started on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-backed fighters launched an assault on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities, largely civilian, along with the abduction of 251 individuals. Many of these captives have subsequently been freed through ceasefire pacts or various arrangements.
According to reports, Israel’s operation has resulted in more than 51,000 Palestinian fatalities, largely comprising women and children.
The Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilian and military casualties,
The conflict has devastated large areas of Gaza and crippled much of its ability to produce food. Approximately 90% of the populace has been forced from their homes, with hundreds of thousands now residing in makeshift tents and damaged structures.
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