Hospital forced to ration power as generator runs out of fuel
WEST BANK — The Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City has had to turn off power to some departments in order to conserve electricity for those in need of critical care, like babies in the neonatal unit.
The main power generator has run out of fuel, Dr. Marwan Abu Saadah told NBC News last night. “We are reducing the consumption of electricity so we can keep the hospital running for another few days and so,” he said.
He said that it was too dangerous to try to transport any fuel from south Gaza to the north of the of Palestinian enclave, adding that the Israeli army cut off access to the main road this week.
“We bid on the international community to act on Israel,” Saadah said. “First of all, to stop its aggression on Gaza. Second, to allow humanitarian corridor and especially the fuel to enter Gaza.”
Hostages' families say any cease-fire deal must include release of their loved ones
ASHDOD, Israel — As Blinken met with Netanyahu and his war Cabinet today, some families of those taken hostage by Hamas gathered outside the country’s military headquarters in Tel Aviv.
Their message was simple: No cease-fire without the return of their relatives.
In a news release, they said they would stand at the entrance to the Israeli parliament, or HaKirya, for “as much time as needed to cry out: ENOUGH!”
They planned to demonstrate "until it is assured to us that the cease-fire without the return of the hostages is not on the table," the release added.
Blinken emphasizes protection of civilians after meeting with Israeli leaders
Blinken emphasized the need to protect civilians while Israel wages war against Hamas following a private meeting with Israeli leaders in Tel Aviv today.
“It is very important that when it comes to the protection of civilians who are caught in the crossfire of Hamas’ making, that everything be done to protect them and bring assistance to those who so desperately need it — and who are not in any way responsible for what happened on Oct. 7,” Blinken told reporters while standing next to Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Blinken's remarks were made over the shouts from hostages' families just outside the building.
More than 100 aid trucks entered Gaza yesterday, Red Crescent says
TEL AVIV — The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said it received 102 trucks carrying aid yesterday from the organization's Egyptian counterpart at the Rafah crossing, including supplies of water.
The convoy included 46 trucks carrying food, 11 water trucks, 15 trucks carrying medicine and medical supplies, it said in a statement. Fuel, crucial to hospitals in enclave after Israel cut off power, was not delivered
“As of now, a total of 374 trucks have been received,” the organization said of its total aid deliveries. “But there hasn’t been permission to bring in fuel yet.”
Gaza death toll reaches 9,227, Health Ministry says
At least 9,227 have been killed in Gaza since the war began last month, the Gaza Health Ministry reported today.
Of those killed, 3,826 are children, it said in a statement. More than 23,500 people have also been reported injured, it said.
NBC News has not been able to independently verify these numbers.
Iran-backed Iraqi militias announce expanded attacks on U.S. bases
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed Iraqi militias, announced today that it will launch a more “intense and expansive” phase of operations against U.S. bases in the region starting next week.
It said the escalation is “in support of our people in Palestine and to avenge the martyrs” in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The group has launched a string of attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria in recent weeks, some of which have injured U.S. personnel. As of Tuesday, the Pentagon said, there had been 27 rocket and drone attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria and that the U.S. was deploying an additional 300 troops to the Middle East to bolster those already there.
Israeli military says it killed Hamas battalion commander
A senior Hamas battalion commander was killed in fighting overnight, the Israeli military said on X this morning.
The Israel Defense Forces said Mustafa Dalul “directed combat,” against its forces “and held key positions in Hamas’ Gaza City Brigade.”
Separately, IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in his daily briefing that Israeli troops discovered grenades, explosives, protective equipment, communication equipment and maps in Hamas strongholds today.
More than 360 Americans on list of foreign nationals allowed to leave Gaza today
More than 360 Americans will be allowed to leave Gaza today, according to a new list released today by the Gaza Crossings and Borders Authority.
The names of more than 550 foreign nationals are on the list, including 367 under the "USA" section. Citizens from Mexico, Italy, France, Indonesia, Germany and the United Kingdom are also down to leave.
NBC News has not verified the names on the list, and yesterday's contained the names of some people who had already been allowed to leave the enclave.
Palestinian workers return to Gaza as Israel severs 'all contact' with the enclave
WEST BANK — Palestinian laborers from Gaza were pictured walking into the enclave through the Kerem Shalom border with Israel today, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said it was “severing all contact” with the enclave.
“There will be no more Palestinian workers from Gaza,” his office said in a statement.
Kerem Shalom, the commercial crossing between Gaza, Israel and Egypt has been closed for weeks, meaning the workers were stranded in Israel.
Blinken meets with Netanyahu
Blinken met with Netanyahu for a private discussion today.
He flew into Israel as the U.S. called for a “pause” in the war with Hamas. Blinken will meet later with Israel's war Cabinet.
Ahead of the meeting, Netanyahu told Blinken that it was always good to see him “even on the hard days.”