Israel’s military announced on Thursday that it had killed Mohammad Abu Itiwi, a Hamas commander who was allegedly affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Israel claims Abu Itiwi participated in the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which resulted in over a thousand Israeli casualties and the capture of several hostages by Hamas.
UNRWA acknowledged that Abu Itiwi had been employed since July 2022 but has not yet issued a formal statement regarding his alleged ties to Hamas. This is one in a series of Israeli accusations of Hamas infiltration in humanitarian organizations. In August, UNRWA reported it had dismissed nine employees who were potentially linked to the October 7 attacks, and it has since asked Israel for specific details to enable independent investigations. However, according to UNRWA’s director of communications, Juliette Touma, they have yet to receive a formal Israeli response.
Israeli military operations have intensified in Gaza, accompanied by reports of increasing civilian casualties and displacement. In Nuseirat, central Gaza, an Israeli attack on a school sheltering civilians resulted in at least 17 Palestinian deaths, including children. Israel states that the strike targeted a Hamas command center operating within the school compound, but the high civilian toll has drawn international criticism and calls for restraint.
Also Read: Israeli Forces Strike Hezbollah Naval Base Amid Escalating Conflict
Meanwhile, in northern Gaza, Israel’s military has expanded its operations around Jabalia, a major area for displaced Palestinians. Local medics report severe shortages of medical supplies, food, and fuel. The Indonesian Hospital, one of the three functioning facilities in the north, confirmed that one medic was killed in an Israeli strike, while others were detained on their way to the hospital.
With the Gaza death toll nearing 43,000 due to continued Israeli strikes, global leaders are urging diplomatic intervention. On Thursday, the United States and France held talks in Paris regarding a possible ceasefire, though no formal agreement has yet been reached. Violence has also surged in Lebanon, where three journalists were killed in southern Lebanon after an Israeli airstrike. The rising number of civilian and media casualties underscores the escalating risks across the region.
Qatar is set to host diplomatic discussions beginning Sunday, with representatives from the US and Israel expected to explore potential ceasefire measures.
