At least 12 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, according to officials on Wednesday. The ongoing conflict, now over 15 months long, shows no signs of resolution. One strike targeted a home in northern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of seven people, including a woman and four children, with several others wounded. Another strike in a refugee camp killed a woman and a child. A third strike in a city in southern Gaza claimed three lives. The war, which started with attacks by Hamas-led militants in October 2023, has led to significant casualties and displacement of Gaza’s population. Efforts to reach a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages have faced obstacles, with Hamas seeking a lasting truce and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to continue fighting. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in Israelis moving abroad, raising concerns about a potential brain drain in key sectors.
An Israeli civilian was killed in southern Lebanon in November alongside a soldier while visiting a combat zone. According to Israeli media reports, Zeev Erlich was not on active duty at the time of the incident but was clad in a military uniform and carrying a weapon. The army disclosed that Erlich, a reservist holding the rank of major, was deemed a “fallen soldier” upon the announcement of his demise.
Erlich, a prominent West Bank settler and dedicated researcher of Jewish history, was reported to have ventured into Lebanon to explore an archaeological site prior to the tragic turn of events. The family of the soldier who perished alongside him has voiced discontent over the circumstances surrounding Erlich’s untimely death.
Following their deaths in a Hezbollah ambush, the military initiated an investigation into the matter. A separate inquiry was launched to ascertain how Erlich managed to gain entry into the combat zone. The military clarified that the infiltration of civilians who are neither military contractors nor journalists into such volatile areas is not a common occurrence. Nevertheless, instances have surfaced of Israeli civilians advocating for a lasting Israeli presence in Gaza or Lebanon venturing into these regions.
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Reporting by Magdy from Cairo. Contributions from Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem.
Follow the Associated Press’s coverage of the conflict at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
