Israel-Gaza updates: 22, including 18 children, reported dead in Rafah strikes

The IDF says it struck military targets of terrorist organizations in Gaza.

ByABC NEWS
Last Updated: April 21, 2024, 4:13 PM EDT

Israel launched a retaliatory strike against Iran early Friday morning local time, a senior U.S. official told ABC News.

The strike followed Iran's attack on Saturday, when Tehran sent a volley of more than 300 drones and missiles toward targets in Israel, according to Israeli military officials. All but a few were intercepted by Israel and its allies, including the United States, officials said.

Iran's weekend attack came more than six months after Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on Oct. 7, after which the Israeli military began its bombardment of Gaza.

Apr 14, 11:27 am

What to know about Iran's attack on Israel

Israeli officials said the country's Iron Dome defense system endured a big test from Iran's attack on Saturday, intercepting 99% of the 300 "threats of various types" thrown at it.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari, launched 170 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), more than 120 ballistic missiles and more than 30 cruise missiles in the attack.

Hagari said "99% of the threats launched towards Israeli territory were intercepted -- a very significant strategic achievement."

Hagari said the attack resulted in only one known Israeli casualty, a 7-year-old girl who was severely injured when she was struck by shrapnel apparently from an intercepted missile.

Apr 12, 2024, 12:54 PM EDT

1 dead after settlers storm West Bank village: Palestinian Health Ministry

At least one person is dead and 18 others injured after Israeli settlers allegedly stormed the village of Al-Mughayir in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Some 1,500 settlers burned more than 40 homes and vehicles in the village, according to Marzouq Abu Naim, the deputy mayor of the Al-Mughir Village Council.

The Israel Defense Forces said that "violent riots" erupted in the area while forces searched for a missing 14-year-old boy.

"During the incident, rocks were hurled at IDF soldiers, who responded with fire. Hits were identified," the IDF said in a statement. "Furthermore, IDF and Israel Border Police forces operated to withdraw Israeli civilians who entered the town of Al Mughayyir."

The crowds have since dispersed and there are no longer any Israeli civilians present within the town, the IDF said.

Apr 12, 2024, 12:54 PM EDT

EU countries sanction 3 terrorist group wings over Oct. 7 sexual and gender-based violence

The European Union has sanctioned three terrorist group wings for "widespread sexual and gender-based violence" that occurred in Israel on Oct. 7, the EU Council said.

The sanctioned entities are the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad; Nukhba Force, a Hamas special forces unit; and the Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas are designated as terrorist organizations by the EU.

"Those listed under the sanctions regime are subject to an asset freeze, and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit, is prohibited," the EU Council said.

Apr 12, 2024, 11:48 AM EDT

WHO details the destruction of medical facilities in Khan Younis

The World Health Organization described the destruction in Khan Younis as "disproportionate to anything one can imagine."

Nasser Medical Complex -- once the "backbone" of the health system in southern Gaza -- Al-Amal and Al-Khair hospitals are "non-functional," according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

People walk past destroyed buildings, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Khan Younis, Gaza, April 11, 2024, in this screengrab from a handout video.
UN News via Reuters

"These facilities have no oxygen supply, water, electricity or sewage system," he said Thursday on X, a day after WHO team members and partners went to Khan Younis to assess health facilities following the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the city.

A person walks past destroyed buildings, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Khan Younis, Gaza, April 11, 2024, in this screengrab from a handout video.
UN News via Reuters

Jordanian Field Hospital was found to be "minimally operational," he said.

"The once robust health system in Gaza is broken," Ghebreyesus said. "WHO and partners stand ready to support reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, but we need a ceasefire. Nothing else can bring a lasting and humane outcome."

Apr 11, 2024, 5:36 PM EDT

Erez crossing to remain closed as Israeli builds new road into Gaza

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters Thursday that Israel is constructing a new land crossing from Israel into northern Gaza to facilitate more aid deliveries.

The Erez crossing, a key pedestrian crossing that was destroyed by Hamas on Oct. 7, will remain closed.

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would reopen the crossing for aid after speaking with President Joe Biden following the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen workers by an Israeli airstrike.

Although the timetable for the opening of the new land crossing wasn't revealed, Hagari said it would be located near the Erez crossing but not in the exact same spot.

Hagari said he expected 58 trucks would pass through the new crossing daily.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

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