The Israel-Hamas war

The Israel-Hamas war|The attacks

Israel looks to increase its military presence - may prepare for Rafah offensive

Israel is said to have deployed additional artillery and troop transport vehicles on the edge of the Gaza Strip, The Guardian reports. It may indicate that the planned offensive against Rafah may be imminent.

On Tuesday, Israel's military confirmed earlier media reports that 40,000 tents were purchased, presumably to house Palestinians who fled to Rafah but may now be forced out again.

Egyptian officials have stated to the London-based Qatari newspaper al-Araby al-Jadeed that the United States has agreed to support an Israeli offensive against Rafah, TT writes. This in exchange for Israel holding back against Iran. The information is unconfirmed.

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"A child is injured or killed every ten minutes"

More than 13,800 children are reported to have been killed in Gaza during the ongoing war. The figure is commented on by Unicef director Catherine Russell after a visit to the Middle East.

- Thousands have been injured and thousands more are on the brink of starvation, she says.

Russell has visited East Jerusalem and the West Bank occupied by Israel. She has also visited Israel, where she met relatives of people who were taken hostage by Hamas on October 7.

- Family members told about the horror, not knowing what tomorrow will bring.

In a separate statement, the UN Unit for Women's Rights and Empowerment writes that a child is injured or dies every ten minutes in Gaza. The agency also writes that more than 10,000 women were killed, of which 6,000 were mothers who left 19,000 orphans behind.

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Continued attacks on Gaza in the shadow of Iran

Israel's attacks on Gaza continue in the shadow of the escalated conflict with Iran. Between Monday and Wednesday, over 100 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, according to the UN humanitarian agency Ocha, TT writes.

Around 200 more were injured during the same time period. Several of the attacks are said to have been carried out against civilian homes.

During Thursday, the intensive shelling of several areas continues, according to the news agency.

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Israel-Hamas War Victims
This year's press photo shows "a glimpse of unimaginable loss"

The news agency Reuters photographer Mohammed Salem is awarded World Press Photo's prestigious award for the press photo of the year, several media outlets write.

The photograph shows 36-year-old Inas Abu Maamar holding the body of her five-year-old niece Saly in her arms. Saly was killed in an Israeli airstrike along with her mother and sister.

The picture was taken in Khan Yunis on October 17 last year. The World Press Photo jury writes that the image takes into account and shows respect while at the same time giving a glimpse of unimaginable loss. 

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Israel-Hamas war The negotiations
Qatar re-evaluates role as cease-fire mediator

Qatar is reassessing its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, according to the country's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.

He expresses concern that the country's efforts are being exploited for political interests but did not single out any individual actor.

However, the BBC points in the direction of America and notes that critical voices against Qatar have been heard from there. Some politicians believe that Qatar is not putting enough pressure on the terrorist group Hamas in the negotiations.

al-Thani says in his statement that the role of mediator has limitations and that it is not possible to "achieve things that the parties do not agree to".

Qatar has, along with the United States