The situation in the West Bank is “alarming and urgent” as Palestinians face both violence from settlers and a militarized police presence, Liz Throssell, a spokesperson for the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said during a news briefing today.

“We have documented that, in many of these incidents, settlers were accompanied by members of the Israeli forces, or the settlers were wearing uniforms and carrying army rifles,” Throssell said. “Along with the near total impunity for settler violence, we are concerned that armed settlers have been acting with the acquiescence and collaboration of Israeli forces and authorities.”

Throssell said that Israeli forces, using increasingly military-like tactics, have arrested almost 2,000 Palestinians. This is in addition to attacks from settlers, including repeated incidents in which Palestinians are told to either leave their homes or be killed, she added.

“Many communities are essentially in lockdown, with roads and checkpoints closed and their freedom of movement restricted,” Throssell said.

The first groups of American citizens that departed from Gaza through the Rafah border crossing were welcomed "with gratitude" by the U.S. Embassy in Cairo this afternoon.

The embassy posted a photo of a woman and two children standing in front of the American flag, thanking Egyptian authorities for their partnership in the transfer of the citizens. Embassy consular officers are assisting the new arrivals through the process of their arrival in Egypt and their return home.

The Royal Caribbean Group released a statement today announcing that future itineraries will be changed "due to the continued uncertainty" and "evolving situation" in Israel.

Some trips are canceling the stops in Israel altogether, while others are replacing them with stops in Greece. The statement noted that guests on these affected cruises will be notified directly.

The IDF said today that it is prepared to respond firmly to any attack on its state as it continues to exchange fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"We are at a high level of readiness, both defensive and offensive, with a high level of vigilance to react to any events that happen on the northern border today and in the coming days," IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said today.

The remarks came as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah gave a speech to his followers in Lebanon, honoring those Hezbollah militants who were killed in its fight with Israel.

Hamas accused Israel of targeting Al-Shifa, Al-Quds and Indonesian hospitals in its airstrikes and said it holds the U.S. and the international community responsible for its "shameful silence" and support of Israel.

In a statement on its website, Hamas said ambulances carrying the wounded were bombed in front of Al-Shifa Hospital's gate, claiming that Israel is targeting Gaza's medical sector.

Video obtained by Reuters appeared to show a damaged and blood-stained ambulance in front of Al-Shifa Hospital. The IDF said it was investigating, Reuters reported.

NBC News has not independently verified the claims.

Turkey's priority is the declaration of a humanitarian cease-fire as soon as possible in Gaza, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a speech today.

"There are no words that can justify what we have been witnessing since Oct. 7," Erdogan said. "To be clear, crimes against humanity have been being committed in Gaza for exactly 28 days."

A cease-fire will first pave the way for permanent peace, he added.

Erdogan made the remarks at the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, according to a summary provided by his office. He noted that the country has sent 10 planes of humanitarian aid to Gaza and will continue to do so "as circumstances on the ground allow."

Almost 50 buildings belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency have been damaged, affecting their ability to offer shelter to hundreds of thousands of civilians, the agency said in a statement today.

“Across the Gaza Strip, these shelters should be a safe haven, under the flag of the United Nations,” the statement said. “International humanitarian law leaves no doubt that civilians and civilian facilities must be protected.”

Some of the damage has been caused by direct hits, UNRWA said, including the attacks on Jabalia Refugee Camp and two schools turned into shelters at the Al Bureij Refugee Camp.

UNRWA said that 72 of its own staff have been killed in the bombardment on Gaza, most recently a young software developer named Mai. She was displaced from her home and sheltering with her family at the Jabalia camp, where they died, the agency said.

The Israeli military released video today that it says showed its forces uncovering and destroying tunnels that belong to Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The vast labyrinth has been used for smuggling, holding hostages and military operations over the years, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out a temporary cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, saying today he will press ahead with a military offensive until hostages held by the Hamas militant group are released.

Netanyahu spoke shortly after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who pressed Israel for a temporary pause in its offensive to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

Blinken also urged Israel to do more to protect civilians from its attacks.

In a statement, Netanyahu said Israel is continuing with “all of its power” and “refuses a temporary cease-fire that doesn’t include a return of our hostages.”

Hamas kidnapped about 240 people in its Oct. 7 cross-border attack that triggered the Israel-Hamas war.