Heavy Israeli Shelling on Two Camps in Gaza; Mayor of Nuseirat Killed

At the beginning of the eighth month of the war in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources reported heavy Israeli artillery attacks on the al-Bureij camp and the killing of the mayor of the Nuseirat region on Friday morning, June 8. According to Palestinian sources, the Israeli army's ground operations are concentrated in al-Bureij in the eastern part of the camp. On Wednesday, the Israeli army confirmed a new round of operations by its forces in al-Bureij and Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, describing it as a continuation of the fight against armed members of Hamas, a group that is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, and the European Union. The information office of the extremist group Hamas announced that in Israeli airstrikes on Thursday evening, the mayor of Nuseirat, Iyad al-Maghari, and his son were killed in a building affiliated with the municipality. The Israeli army's operations early Thursday in Nuseirat resulted in the deaths of at least 37 people in a school affiliated with UNRWA, the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians. A spokesperson for the 'Martyrs of Al-Aqsa' hospital in Deir al-Balah reported the transfer of 141 bodies and 380 wounded from Nuseirat and Deir al-Balah to this hospital within 24 hours, stating that the medical center is 'on the verge of collapse.' The Israeli army claims it targeted rooms in the mentioned school that were used by 'Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and ISIS' forces. According to the army, elite Hamas units that participated in the October 7 attack on Israel were present in this school. Peter Lerner, an Israeli army spokesperson, told international reporters that the attack on the school building was based on 'very accurate information' and that this operation had been postponed twice to avoid civilian casualties. Captain Lerner added, 'This is the fifth time in the past month that the army has identified militant activities in UNRWA-affiliated locations.' However, Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, condemned the Israeli attack on the UNRWA school on Thursday, urging all parties to protect 'innocent civilians.' Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, also stated on Thursday that Washington expects Israel to act 'with complete transparency' regarding the attack on the UNRWA school. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that an armed group of Hamas members attempted to attack a settlement in southern Israel early Thursday, angering local officials and residents. Some Israelis who had recently returned to their former homes after months of displacement told Israeli media that the approach of the mentioned armed group to the settlement could have repeated an event like the October 7 attack last year. Daniel Hagari, an Israeli army spokesperson, stated that a group of armed Palestinians crossed border barriers but was identified by army observation unit soldiers before they could pass through the main security fence. Patrol forces, along with helicopters, took down three members of the group. The army spokesperson said a fourth member of the group managed to escape into Gaza due to 'heavy fog in the area.' The infiltration of this armed group near a settlement in southern Israel is reportedly the first such incident in recent months that resulted in the death of a military personnel from the desert patrol unit. The sudden attack by Hamas on October 7 last year on dozens of Israeli settlements and villages, as well as a large music festival, resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the abduction of 253 Israelis, triggering the Israeli army's war in Gaza, which has continued for the past 245 days. In contrast, the death toll in the Gaza Strip from Israeli attacks has exceeded 36,000. President Biden stated in an interview with ABC News released early Friday that Israel has agreed to a significant agreement (a ceasefire plan in the Gaza war) and that Benjamin Netanyahu has clearly stated his support for the plan. Joe Biden added that this plan is supported by 'Egypt, the Saudis, and almost all of the Arab world... We must reach a ceasefire.' He urged the extremist group Hamas to accept the ceasefire. Mr. Biden and the leaders of 16 other countries, whose citizens are among the 120 Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, issued a joint statement on Thursday calling on Hamas to accept the ceasefire and end the suffering of all parties. The leaders of Germany, Britain, and France also issued a separate joint statement with Joe Biden on Thursday supporting the ceasefire plan announced by the US President. Joe Biden also stated in the ABC interview that he believes Benjamin Netanyahu is 'listening' to his words and requests. The US President added that Israel wanted to 'attack Rafah with full force and enter the city,' but refrained from doing so. According to the Wall Street Journal, Yahya Sinwar, the internal leader of Hamas, emphasized the group's retention of weapons in response to the latest ceasefire proposal announced by Joe Biden, stating that he would only accept a deal for the exchange of individuals with a complete and sustainable halt to the war. CNN reported on Friday that Qatar has pressured Hamas leaders to accept the ceasefire plan, or they would be expelled from the country. According to Majid Al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, a formal response from Hamas has not yet been received, and efforts to reach an agreement continue. The commander of the northern branch of the Israeli army confirmed on Friday that preparations for an attack on Hezbollah have been 'completed' and are awaiting orders from officials. This Israeli military official added that when the order is given, the enemy will face a strong and ready army. General Gordin stated that the army's mission is clear; to change the ground realities so that the people of the north can return to their homes safely and as quickly as possible. Tensions continue in Jenin, with Palestinian sources reporting the deaths of three people in the Jenin camp in the northern West Bank during Israeli operations on Thursday. These sources stated that the Israeli operation, accompanied by helicopter flights, also injured eight others. Palestinians claim that since the beginning of the Gaza war, over 500 residents of the West Bank have been killed and thousands have been arrested. Israel has recently used jets and helicopters in some operations in the West Bank. The US State Department on Thursday sanctioned the Palestinian armed group 'Areen al-Aswad' ('Lion's Den'), which was responsible for multiple deadly attacks against Israeli citizens in the West Bank, mainly in the Nablus area, in 2022.