Israel’s war on Gaza updates: World awaits threatened attack on Iran
Defiant rhetoric in Tehran on Army Day with Iranian president praising military strength and the ‘shattering’ of Israel’s ‘hegemony’ in the Middle East.
This live page is now closed. You can continue to follow our coverage of the war in Gaza here.
This live page is now closed. You can continue to follow our coverage of the war in Gaza here.
- Iran marks Army Day as the world nervously watches for Israeli military retaliation after the unprecedented attack by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- Qatar’s prime minister says Gaza ceasefire talks are “stumbling” and warns of “the expansion of conflict” in the Middle East because of the international failure to halt the war.
- Strikes hit a playground and busy market in Maghazi refugee camp with at least 56 Palestinians killed throughout Gaza in the past day as Israel’s onslaught on civilians continues.
- At least 33,899 Palestinians have been killed and 76,664 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from Hamas’s October 7 attacks stands at 1,139 and dozens of people are still being held captive in Gaza.
That’s a wrap from us
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A look at what happened today
We will be closing this live page soon. Here’s a quick recap from today:
- Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), has briefed the Security Council and said dismantling the body will have major implications during a time of “seismic change” in the region.
- Both Hezbollah and Israel have claimed cross-border attacks as tensions along the border continue to simmer.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “rejected the claims by international organisations” that areas in Gaza are facing famine after six months of war.
- At least seven displaced Palestinians, including children, were killed in an Israeli attack on southern Gaza’s Rafah, while attacks on Gaza City in the northern part of the enclave also continued.
- Qatar’s prime minister said Doha is re-evaluating its role as a mediator in negotiations aimed at bringing about a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli captives, adding that some parties have used the mediation for “narrow political interest”.
WATCH: Lazzarini sends message that ‘besides UNRWA, there is nothing else’
Earlier, the head of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, Philippe Lazzarini, told the UN Security Council that no organisation can replace UNRWA in Gaza when it comes to aiding the victims of Israel’s assault.
Watch our video to hear more of his comments:
Jordan says saving UNRWA means ‘saving lives’ after UNSC briefing
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said saving UNRWA is “saving lives” during remarks at the UN Security Council.
He spoke as Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of UNRWA, briefed the council at a meeting requested by Jordan earlier today.
“Supporting UNRWA is supporting regional stability. Saving UNRWA is saving lives, saving hope and standing on the side of justice,” Safadi said.
Lazzarini warned that dismantling the agency will have major implications during a time of “seismic change” in the region.
Shortly after the briefing, Algerian state TV said Algeria gave UNRWA a $15m exceptional fund.
Gaza Civil Defence shows rescue operation after earlier Israeli strike on Rafah
We have been reporting on an Israeli army strike on a piece of agricultural land near Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, where local media reports that seven Palestinians were killed.
The Gaza Civil Defence on its Telegram channel has posted pictures of its crew after it rushed to the scene of the attack, which it said was in the as-Salam neighbourhood of the city.
As Rafah continues to be overcrowded with displaced people who have fled bombing and Israeli soldiers in other parts of the enclave, many have settled on agricultural land such as the area that was attacked this evening.
Michel says EU condemns Iran’s attack on Israel
“All efforts must be made to help bring stability to the region and avoid escalation,” Charles Michel, president of the EU council, says on X. “We call on all parties to exercise utmost restraint.”
Several EU members have said they are looking at imposing further sanctions on Iran, specifically on its drone and missile programmes, according to the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
Michel also called for a ceasefire in Gaza, saying the EU is “committed” to achieving this goal.
Hezbollah claims attack on Israeli army soldiers
The Lebanese group has claimed another attack on Israeli soldiers.
In a post on its Telegram channel, Hezbollah said the attack targeted soldiers while they were attempting to evacuate a military vehicle that the group claimed to hit a day earlier in the Metula site.
Child recounts shelling where displaced people were sleeping near Rafah
Videos obtained by Al Jazeera show wounded women and children arriving at the Abu Youssef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah after an Israeli strike near the as-Salam neighbourhood.
The videos showed emergency workers and responders sifting through debris in a dark area. Ambulances and private vehicles are then seen rushing to the hospital.
A child recounts that she was sleeping in an area with other displaced people when she woke up to the sound of shelling. The girl, wearing a bandage, said she was hit in the head.
The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that at least seven people were killed.
Latest round of sanctions against Iran unlikely to make major impact
The US and European leaders have been working on a new flurry of sanctions against Iran following its direct attack on Israel over the weekend.
But it is unlikely the already sanctioned country will feel a huge impact from the latest actions, Mohamad Elmasry, a professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, told Al Jazeera.
“You’ve already done most of what you can do with the sanctions. Iran has proven itself to be relatively resilient. They’ve pivoted to Russia and China,” he said. “So now, for instance, Iran is exporting about 90 percent of its oil to China. They’ve been able to stay afloat, even though they’ve certainly taken a hit economically.”
Elmasry also called it “fascinating” that Western leaders have only focused on Iran’s attack against Israel, while scantly acknowledging Israel’s attack on an Iranian consulate in Damascus in early April, which prompted the response.
Protesters gather at Venice Biennale in Italy
Demonstrators gathered in front of the US, Israel and German pavilions at the art exhibition in Venice, Italy.
The protest came a day after Israel’s exhibiting artist, Ruth Patir, announced the country’s pavilion would not be opened until there is a ceasefire.
Representatives of the so-called Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA), who have been calling on organisers to exclude Israel from the event, were involved in today’s protest.
States of oppression confronted by ANGA
No business as normal for any state supporting Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians.
SHAME ON YOU!
SHUT IT DOWN!#BiennaleArte2024 #labiennaledivenezia #venicebiennale2024 #foreignerseverywhere #labiennaledivenezia2024 pic.twitter.com/fMP1BqwUd3
— Art Not Genocide Alliance (@ANG_Alliance) April 17, 2024
WATCH: Qatari Prime Minister says the country is ‘re-evaluating’ role as mediator
Earlier, during a news conference with his Turkish counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said Doha is re-evaluating that role, adding that some parties have used the mediation for “narrow political interest”.
Watch the rest of his comments in our video:
Several killed in Israeli attack on southern Gaza’s Rafah
At least seven people have been killed, including three children, in an Israeli strike in southern Gaza’s Rafah, the Palestinian news agency Wafa said.
According to Wafa, the strike hit a room and an area of open land where displaced Palestinians were sheltering.
More than 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge in Rafah after being forcibly expelled from their homes in northern and central Gaza.
Lebanon interior minister alleges Israeli agents behind killing near Beirut
Lebanon’s interior minister says the abduction and killing of Hezbollah-linked Lebanese currency exchanger Mohammad Srour last month was likely the work of Israeli agents.
“Lebanese security agencies have suspicion or accusations that Mossad was behind this operation,” Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said in an interview with The Associated Press news agency, referring to the Israeli spy agency. “The way the crime was carried out led to this suspicion.”
Lebanese authorities said handguns equipped with silencers and gloves were found in a bucket filled with water and chemicals at the scene. That was apparently intended to remove fingerprints and other evidence. Thousand of dollars in cash were left scattered around Srour’s body, authorities said.
Mawlawi gave no specific evidence for the allegation. He said the investigation was ongoing, and once it is over, the results will be made public and referred to judicial authorities.
The US Treasury sanctioned Srour in 2019 for allegedly facilitating Iranian money transfers to Hezbollah and Hamas.
EU’s Borrell speaks to new Palestinian Authority prime minister
In a call, the EU’s top diplomat told Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa that the EU will continue “support to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, reform and strengthen the Palestinian Authority, and hold violent settlers accountable”.
Mustafa was appointed to the role last month and has laid plans to revitalise the Palestinian Authority. The plans include appointing a technocratic government and establishing an independent trust fund to oversee reconstruction in Gaza.
The US has said a revitalised Palestinian Authority should be central to any plans for post-war Gaza, despite it currently having no role in the enclave and facing a legitimacy crisis among Palestinians across the occupied territory.
Gaza evolved ‘into a major killing box’
What we’re seeing so far, judging from the patterns of the attacks across the Gaza Strip, one can realise … Gaza has evolved into a major killing box.
Dominated by the air strikes, as well as non-stop artillery shelling as people go into their life, trying to find basic necessities.
Within the past few hours, people gathered at the access point for internet, trying to get connected to the world and connected to the internet.
The entire Gaza Strip was … taken off the grid several times with difficulties in communication.
Seven people were killed right at the spot, with dozens of other injuries reported who were transferred to an already exhausted, insufficient hospital.
Rallies held in occupied West Bank over Palestinians held in Israeli prisons
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have rallied, calling for the release of prisoners held by Israel without charge and for families to again be able to visit their loved ones in detention.
Relatives have been denied access to visit prisoners since October 7, when Israel’s assault on Gaza began following Hamas’s attacks.
Demonstrations were held to mark Palestinian Prisoner’s Day in cities including Ramallah, Hebron, Jericho and Nablus.
The marches this year took on added significance because thousands more people have been arrested in recent months.
According to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Club advocacy group, the number of Palestinian detainees and prisoners has risen to more than 9,000, compared with 5,200 before October 7.
UNRWA chief says agency exists ‘because political solution does not’
Addressing the council, Lazzarini condemned those calling for the closure of the agency, which was launched in the wake of 1948 as a temporary measure to help Palestinian refugees.
The agency must remain in its current state and provide social services to Palestinians, absent a political solution, he said.
“Calls for closure of UNRWA are not about the adherence to humanitarian principles, those calls are about ending the refugee status of millions of Palestinians,” he told the council.
Lazzarini spoke shortly after UNRWA released a report that detailed abuses against Palestinians detained by Israeli forces, including agency staff.
“We demand an independent investigation and accountability for blatant disregard of protected status of humanitarian workers, operations and facilities,” he said.
Lazzarini sends message that ‘besides UNRWA, there is nothing else’
He [Philippe Lazzarini] wanted to set the stage for how important UNRWA is and what the ramifications would be if it is dismantled.
Lazzarini gave the council a bit of a history lesson, reminding them that UNRWA was set up 75 years ago as a temporary solution until there was a political process in place, a political solution.
Lazzarini said there hasn’t been a political solution, so that is why we are still in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, providing services such as healthcare, education, safety and aid.
[Lazzarini said] if we were to be dismantled, … who would provide all of that until there is a political solution – essentially no one can provide that without a final political solution.
But even in a transition, … that’s potentially years before some other body or some other entity can provide what UNRWA provides.
That was very striking. He laid it out very clearly, that besides UNRWA, there is nothing else.
WATCH: Palestinian Prisoner’s Day marked amid growing number of detentions
Every year on April 17, Palestinian Prisoner’s Day is commemorated to highlight the plight of those held in Israeli jails.
Of the 9,500 Palestinians currently held by Israel, 3,500 are held in administrative detention, which means they are imprisoned without charge or trial.
Watch our video to learn more:
UNRWA commissioner-general tells UNSC it is ‘time of seismic change’
The UN Security Council (UNSC) briefing by Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, came at the request of Jordan.
The briefing was held as UNRWA has faced pressure over Israeli allegations that members of its staff participated in Hamas’s October 7 attacks. A final report from an independent review of UNRWA is due on April 20.
Lazzarini said that while many countries have resumed their funding for the agency after UNRWA quickly responded to Israel’s claims, including immediately terminating those accused, many funders have not returned.
“Despite this prompt and decisive action, a significant amount of donor funding remains suspended. This has serious operational implications and undermines the financial sustainability of the agency,” he said.
He said that will have major implications during a time of “seismic change” in the Middle East.
Biden endorses House aid package for Israel, urging quick passage
US President Joe Biden says he strongly backs long-delayed support for Israel and Ukraine after the Republican leader of the House of Representatives announced a vote on an aid package.
“I strongly support this package to get critical support to Israel and Ukraine,” Biden said in a statement. “I will sign this into law immediately to send a message to the world: we stand with our friends, and we won’t let Iran or Russia succeed.”
Hamas chief Haniyeh to visit Turkey this weekend, Erdogan says
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would host the leader of Hamas’s political bureau Ismail Haniyeh in Turkey this weekend.
“The leader of the Palestinian cause will be my guest this weekend,” Erdogan, an outspoken critic of Israel, told lawmakers.
While Erdogan did not say where he would meet Haniyeh, a Turkish official said that they would hold talks on Saturday at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.
“Even if only I, Tayyip Erdogan, remain, I will continue as long as God gives me my life, to defend the Palestinian struggle and to be the voice of the oppressed Palestinian people,” the president said, calling Hamas a “resistance group”.
Activists from antiwar group disrupt US defense secretary’s testimony
Activists from the antiwar group Code Pink have disrupted congressional testimony by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, denouncing the US position on Israel’s war on Gaza.
The activists accused Austin of supporting Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
On X, the group posted videos, verified by Al Jazeera, showing police arresting one of the activists at a committee hearing in the House of Representatives dedicated to discussing the Pentagon budget.
"You can take me down the hall, but you can't close my mouth! I am outraged that my country is committing genocide!"
Our member, Helen, being arrested during today's House Appropriations Committee hearing with @SecDef: pic.twitter.com/zT9dWVx0wa
— CODEPINK (@codepink) April 17, 2024
Israel mulled Monday night strike on Iran: Report
The US news site Axios reports that Israel’s war cabinet considered a retaliatory attack on Monday, shortly after Iran launched its attack.
However, it ultimately decided not to go through with the attack for “operational reasons”, according to the news site, which quoted two Israeli officials.
Israel’s allies have pushed for restraint after Iran’s weekend attack, which was largely thwarted by Israeli, US, French, UK and Jordanian forces.
However, Israeli officials have indicated they will not heed those appeals.
US says will press Israel for probe after UNRWA report
State Department spokesman Vedant Patel’s words come after the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) released a report detailing abuses committed against those held in Israeli detention.
The report detailed the testimonies of more than 100 Palestinians released from Israeli detention. Abuses included being denied food, water or toilet access for hours while detainees hands and legs were bound. Others said they had been inappropriately searched, beaten and groped.
The report said the actions may amount to “sexual violence and harassment”.
Patel called the accounts deeply disturbing and said that Washington will press Israel, its close ally, on the need for a full investigation. Rights groups have repeatedly said that past US appeals for such investigations have proven inadequate.