Palestinians walk through a ravaged street following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, on Oct. 10, 2023. (Credit: AFP)
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Catch up on our LIVE coverage of Day 18 of the Israel-Hamas war here.
Israeli bombardment hit a public elementary school in Aita al-Shaab, southern Lebanon, amid continued border clashes between Hezbollah and Israel, which, since Oct. 7, have displaced over 19,000 people, according to the International Organization for Migration. Since clashes escalated at the border, classes in nearby schools have stopped. At least three schools in southern Lebanon have been converted into shelters hosting approximately 1,000 people. Hezbollah announced the death of six of its fighters yesterday, raising the number of party members killed since Oct. 7 to 36, as confirmed by a party spokesperson. Houla, Jabal Siddana and Mays al-Jabal came under Israeli fire yesterday, while Israel said it was targeted by a cross-border anti-tank missile.” Israeli president Isaac Herzog said Israel is “not looking for confrontation on our northern border or with anyone else,” but added that Lebanon would “pay the price” if a war begins.
Lebanese caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam denied rumors of a rise in consumer goods prices, while a fuel importers’ union spokesperson said deliveries to Lebanon are continuing but at a slower pace. A spokesman for the Association of Hydrocarbon Importing Companies in Lebanon (APIC) told L’Orient Today two gasoline and diesel tankers are expected to arrive in Lebanon by the end of the week. Jean Hatem, president of the association of gas cylinder distributors said the country has enough domestic gas stocks to overcome a blockade while “deliveries are continuing as planned, with a 5,000-ton ship expected on Friday.” The president of the Association of Insurance Companies of Lebanon (ACAL) told L’Orient Today that insurers have stopped covering war risk in newly issued policies, expecting that the change will translate to reduced imports and increased prices.
Speaking before the United Nations Security Council, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki deplored deliberate civilian “massacres” in Gaza by Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeting Hamas as the death toll in the enclave since Oct. 7 rose to 5,791 people. The Gaza Health Ministry said Israeli airstrikes killed 704 Palestinians within 24 hours. Qatari ruling emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani called for “a serious regional and international stance” against the “dangerous escalation,” urging the international community not to grant Israel an “unrestricted authorization to kill.” Qatar mediated the release of US citizens taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his country’s “full solidarity” with Israel during a visit to Tel Aviv. He also called for “a decisive relaunch of the political process with the Palestinians.”
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said that if it does not receive fuel, it will be forced to halt operations in Gaza as of tonight. At least 35 UNRWA staff have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7 amid relentless Israeli bombardment, which has intensified over the past few days. A senior UN aid official told Reuters that 400,000 liters of fuel are ready to enter Gaza once Israel lifts its ban, but an Israeli military spokesperson said no more fuel will enter Gaza. UN aid spokesperson Eri Kaneko said 20 trucks intended for Gaza were not delivered yesterday, expressing hope they would pass through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt today. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, eight trucks containing water, food and medicine managed to enter the Gaza Strip from Egypt late last night. “Without fuel, the generators cannot produce electricity for hospitals, for bakeries and for the water desalination plant,” UNRWA spokesperson Tamara Alrifai said. World Health Organization (WHO) regional emergencies director Dr. Rick Brennan appealed to decision-makers for a “scaled up, protected humanitarian operation,” adding that desperately needed supplies have been unable to reach the north of Gaza.
In case you missed it, here’s our must-read story from yesterday: "Israel-Hamas war, tensions in South Lebanon: Managing worry and anxiety"
Compiled by Abbas Mahfouz
