Reports indicate that Israeli forces struck the northern districts of Gaza City, employing phosphorus munitions. Pan-Arab television network El Mayadeen reported the claim, citing witnesses and observers on the ground. The description points to heavy bombardment in densely populated neighborhoods, underscoring the humanitarian stakes surrounding the incident.
Phosphorus munitions were used in particular when targeting a school sheltering refugees. After the strike, a fire broke out in the building, and while some on the scene described extensive damage, there were no confirmed fatalities at that moment. Advocates urged careful attention to civilian safety amid the ongoing conflict.
During a United Nations Security Council session on the Middle East, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, stated that by supplying weapons to Israel, the United States shields actions described as crimes against the Palestinian people. The remarks highlighted disputes over accountability and the involvement of external powers in the crisis.
On the same day, reports indicated that about 1.4 million people in the Gaza Strip lacked adequate food and safe drinking water. Residents faced water shortages not only for drinking but also for washing, raising concerns about disease spread and deteriorating living conditions in the enclave.
Earlier reports suggested that Israel had curtailed contact with the United Nations Secretary-General, signaling tension between Israeli authorities and the UN leadership within the crisis context.