Gaza News Live: Israeli forces kill Hamas operative linked to commander's death in June raid

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet security agency conducted a joint operation that killed a Hamas member whom they said was responsible for the death of Commander Arnon Zamora, as per a report in Israel National News. Zamora, an officer in the elite Yamam counter-terrorism unit, was killed on June 8, 2024, during an Israeli operation in Nuseirat that resulted in the rescue of four hostages. The recent strike targeted the Hamas operative as part of ongoing Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip.

Two Israeli soldiers sustained moderate injuries in separate operational accidents in the Gaza Strip, according to a report in Israel National News. The incidents were not a result of direct combat, and the soldiers' injuries are described as moderate, meaning they are not life-threatening but require medical treatment. The events occurred amid ongoing Israeli military ground operations throughout various parts of Gaza.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew is expected to make a rare visit to Cairo for high-level talks with Egyptian officials, as per a report in The New York Times. The discussions are reportedly set to focus on the ongoing war in Gaza and managing the significant tensions that have emerged between Israel and Egypt. A primary point of contention to be addressed is the situation at the Rafah border crossing, which has impacted humanitarian aid flow and raised security concerns for both nations.

An Israeli cycling team was removed from the Giro dell'Emilia race in Italy due to threats of pro-Palestinian protests concerning the war in Gaza, according to a report in Haaretz. The decision by race organizers follows a similar recent incident where protests abruptly ended the team's participation in the finale of Spain's Vuelta race. The removal was reportedly prompted by security concerns over planned demonstrations against Israel's military actions in Gaza.

Prisoners in the UK, jailed since last year while awaiting trial for alleged offenses connected to the protest group Palestine Action, say they have faced stricter conditions since the group was officially proscribed, according to a report in The Guardian. The individuals report being banned from wearing the keffiyeh, a symbol of Palestinian identity, and being removed from certain prison jobs. These prisoners were charged before Palestine Action was banned and do not face specific charges under the Terrorism Act, although the Crown Prosecution Service has stated their cases have a "terrorism connection."

Hamas has reportedly agreed to a new Gaza deal backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which includes a provision for the release of all Israeli hostages, according to a report in Haaretz. The agreement, reported by unnamed sources, marks a significant potential development in the ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire and the return of all captives held in the Gaza Strip.

Overnight Israeli strikes killed at least 32 people across Gaza as international pressure for a ceasefire continues to mount, according to a report in AP. Health officials said the strikes occurred in central and northern Gaza, with one incident in the Nuseirat refugee camp killing nine members of the same family in their home. The strikes are part of Israel's stated objective to dismantle Hamas, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicating the war will continue despite growing international demands for a ceasefire.

The son of developer Steve Witkoff is reportedly attempting to raise billions of dollars from Qatar, which is serving as a key mediator in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, according to a report in Haaretz. The information, originally from The New York Times, suggests the financial relationship between the Witkoff family and the Gulf state is more extensive than previously understood, highlighting the attempt to secure major funding.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is seeking a senior role in running post-war Gaza under a peace plan being developed by the Trump administration, Reuters said in a report. The information, which originates from the Financial Times, proposes that Blair would chair a supervisory board named the “Gaza International Transitional Authority.” Reuters noted that it could not immediately verify the report from the Financial Times.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he reached an understanding with U.S. President Donald Trump on how to achieve a ceasefire and lasting peace in Gaza and Palestine following talks at the White House on Thursday, according to a report in Reuters. Erdogan added that the meeting was important for demonstrating a will to end the conflict and that President Trump also stated the need to end the fighting in Gaza during their discussion.

Amid growing international isolation and criticism, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated at the United Nations on Friday that his country "must finish the job" against Hamas in Gaza, as per a report in AP. In a defiant speech to world leaders, Netanyahu asserted that Israel would not yield to international pressure to end its military campaign and said that some "Western leaders may have buckled under the pressure."

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he is close to finalizing a deal to end the war in Gaza and bring hostages home, according to a report in Reuters. Trump told reporters he believes a deal is imminent that would both secure the return of hostages and conclude the conflict. His comments were made ahead of a scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed stressed the urgent need for ending the Gaza war during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, according to a report in Reuters. The meeting marked Netanyahu’s first with a senior Arab official since Israel’s September 9 attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar.

A severe humanitarian crisis is unfolding in southern Gaza as hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by Israeli military operations in the north face an acute shortage of shelter, according to a report in The Washington Post. With basic materials like tarpaulins and available land becoming extremely rare, many fleeing civilians find themselves unable to afford even the high costs of renting a small plot of ground on which to pitch a tent. This situation has left a significant portion of the displaced population, who have crowded into southern areas following evacuation orders, without adequate shelter.

Two Israeli soldiers killed during military operations in the Gaza Strip over the Rosh Hashanah holiday have been buried, as per a report in Haaretz. The deaths are a result of the ongoing conflict in the region.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir conducted an inspection of troops in the Gaza Strip, where he vowed that the military is doing everything to dismantle Hamas, according to a report in Israel National News. During his visit, Zamir praised the soldiers for their actions and paid tribute to those who have fallen in the conflict. He also stated that joint operations between the IDF and the Shin Bet security agency are being intensified to achieve their objectives.

Families of hostages held in Gaza have denounced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent speech at the UN, stating that words without action are meaningless, according to a report in Israel National News. The families accused Netanyahu of endangering the captives and ignoring those who have been murdered. They are urging for immediate action to secure the release of the hostages and have expressed support for US President Donald Trump's call to end the war.

A 21-point peace plan for Gaza proposed by President Donald Trump reportedly stipulates that Hamas will have no future role in the territory, according to a report in Israel National News. The plan, citing details from a CNN report, calls for the release of all hostages within 48 hours, which would then trigger a phased withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The proposal does not set a definitive timeline for the complete exit of Israeli troops from Gaza.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that talks concerning Gaza with various Middle Eastern nations were intense and would continue as long as necessary, according to a report in Reuters. Trump, who met with leaders and officials from several Muslim-majority countries this week, confirmed that both Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants are aware of the ongoing discussions.

During the high-level week at the UN General Assembly, Pakistan and Bangladesh urged the international community to recognize a Palestinian state based on its pre-1967 borders, according to a report in Middle East Eye. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif specified that these borders, which encompass the West Bank and Gaza, should be recognized with "al-Quds al-Sharif" (Jerusalem) as the capital. The pre-1967 borders refer to the armistice lines that existed before the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, during which Israel captured those territories.

New Zealand will hold off on recognizing a Palestinian state, stating the move is not 'prudent' at the moment, as per a report in the Times of Israel. The announcement comes amid ongoing international debate at the United Nations, where the Greek premier warned that Israel is at risk of losing its remaining friends due to the war in Gaza. During the same UN sessions, the prime ministers of Ireland and Pakistan accused Israel of committing 'genocide' in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas declared that Hamas will not be part of any future governance of Palestine, including Gaza, after the conclusion of the current war with Israel, according to a report in The New York Times. In a video address to the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday, Abbas asserted the PA's claim as the sole legitimate governing body for all Palestinian territories. During the speech, he also thanked the countries that have recently recognized Palestinian statehood, positioning the PA as the entity to lead in a post-conflict scenario.

Following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his speech at the UN, New York City Mayor Eric Adams reaffirmed his strong support for Israel, Israel National News said in a report. Adams emphasized Israel's right to defend itself and criticized what he described as global silence on rising antisemitism and the ongoing hostage crisis related to the conflict in Gaza.