Israel-Gaza updates: Death toll in Rafah airstrike rises to 50: Action Aid UK
The area is densely populated with tents, the sources said.
As the Israel-Hamas war crosses the seven-month mark, negotiations are apparently stalled to secure the release of hostages taken by the terrorist organization, and Israeli forces continue to launch incursions in the southern Gazan town of Rafah ahead of a possible large-scale invasion.
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Israel severs diplomatic mission with Spain
The Spanish consulate in Jerusalem will not be allowed to provide service to Palestinians in Judea and Samaria, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Friday.
“Following Spain's recognition of a Palestinian state and the anti-Semitic call of the Deputy Prime Minister of Spain not to be satisfied with recognizing a Palestinian state 'and to liberate Palestine from the river to the sea' - I have decided to sever the connection between the Spanish diplomatic mission in Israel and the Palestinians and prohibit the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem from providing service to the Palestinians in Judea and Samaria,” Katz said in a statement.
-ABC News’ Will Gretsky
ICJ rules Israel must stop Rafah operation
The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel must immediately halt its military operation in Rafah, citing "immediate risk to the Palestinian people."
The vote was 16-2, with Israel being one of the votes against the ruling. The other to vote against the decision was Uganda.
The U.N. court has no way to enforce its decision and Israel has said it would defy any order to stop fighting.
3 more bodies of hostages recovered
The Hostage Families Forum has released a statement confirming that the bodies of three hostages have been recovered.
"It is with profound sorrow that the Families Forum bows its head following the announcement of the murder of Michel Nisenbaum, Hanan Yablonka, and Oryon Hernandez Radoux, may their memories be a blessing, at the hands of Hamas terrorists,* the statement obtained by ABC News said.
The bodies of the three hostages, who were murdered by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, have now been returned to Israel for burial.
"The sorrowful return of Michel, Hanan, and Oryon is another heartbreak for the 125 families of the hostages, who share the pain, sorrow, and endless worry. Their return for burial provides important closure for the family members, and efforts must be made to bring all the murdered hostages back to Israel," the statement read.
3 US service members injured, 1 in critical condition, in accident related to pier off Gaza
Three U.S. service members were injured, with one remaining in critical condition, after a non-combat accident related to the U.S.-built pier off Gaza known as JLOTS, or the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore capability, according to U.S. Central Command.
Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM deputy commander, didn't provide specifics Thursday other than saying they were non-combat-related injuries and that two of the service members had returned to duty, while the third is receiving care at a local Israeli hospital.
A defense official told ABC News the third service member is in critical condition and was injured aboard the USNS Benavidez, a U.S. Navy cargo ship. A U.S. official said it involved a forklift accident.
No further details were immediately released.
-ABC News’ Luis Martinez