Israeli airstrikes on Palestinian territories have resulted in significant casualties, with local officials reporting that over 25 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday. This includes five deaths in the occupied West Bank and at least 20 people, including 16 women and children, in the Gaza Strip.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that a Tuesday airstrike on a tent camp within an Israeli-designated humanitarian zone resulted in at least 19 deaths. Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Health Ministry claims over 40,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza, though this count does not differentiate between fighters and civilians. The ongoing war has caused extensive destruction and displaced approximately 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.

The conflict erupted following a Hamas-led attack on October 7, which killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and led to the abduction of about 250 individuals. Currently, around 100 hostages are believed to be held in Gaza, with about a third presumed dead.

Israel-Hamas Conflict Latest Updates:

Hamas Leader Thanks Algeria for Support - In his first statement since becoming Hamas’ top leader in August, Yahya Sinwar thanked Algeria for its support. In a statement released late Tuesday, Sinwar congratulated Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on his reelection and praised Algeria’s advocacy for the Palestinian cause. Algeria had previously circulated a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and a halt to Israel’s military actions in Rafah.

Sinwar, a hard-liner within Hamas, would need to approve any potential cease-fire agreement and hostage release. Despite efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to broker such a deal, negotiations have repeatedly stalled. Sinwar, believed to be hiding within Gaza, has been a key figure in the conflict and is a target for Israeli forces.

Israeli Strike in West Bank Claims Five Lives - An Israeli airstrike in the northern West Bank city of Tubas has resulted in the deaths of five Palestinians, according to local officials. The Israeli military stated the strike targeted a group of militants. The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the casualties but did not specify if the deceased were militants or civilians.

Israel has intensified its military operations in the West Bank, aiming to dismantle militant groups and prevent attacks. However, Palestinians view these operations as efforts to reinforce Israel’s long-standing military control over the territory.

More Deaths Reported in Gaza Strip - Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip have added at least 20 more deaths to the toll, including 16 women and children. An early Wednesday strike near Khan Younis killed 11 people, including six siblings. A late Tuesday strike on a home in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza killed nine people. The targeted home belonged to Akram al-Najjar, a professor at al-Quds Open University, who survived the attack.

Israel maintains it targets militants, claiming that 17,000 militants have been killed without providing evidence. It attributes civilian casualties to Hamas, alleging that fighters are embedded within residential areas. The Israeli military rarely comments on specific strikes.

The Gaza Health Ministry reports that Israel’s offensive, which began in response to the October 7 attack, has resulted in at least 41,020 deaths and nearly 95,000 injuries in Gaza. The majority of those killed are reported to be women and children.

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