Israel claims killing Hamas commander Abu Itiwi linked to UNRWA

Israel’s military reported on Thursday that it has killed Mohammad Abu Itiwi, a Hamas commander allegedly linked to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Israel claims Abu Itiwi had been involved in the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which resulted in over a thousand Israeli casualties and several hostages taken by Hamas.

UNRWA acknowledged Abu Itiwi’s employment since July 2022 but has yet to issue a formal response regarding his alleged dual role as a Hamas operative.

This marks one of several recent accusations by Israel of Hamas’s infiltration into humanitarian organizations.

In August, UNRWA claims it had dismissed nine employees found to have potential links to the October 7 attacks.

UNRWA has requested specific information from Israel to facilitate independent investigations, but a formal Israeli response has yet to materialize, according to Juliette Touma, UNRWA’s director of communications.

Israeli strikes have intensified in Gaza amid reports of escalating civilian casualties and widespread displacement.

In Nuseirat, a central Gaza refugee camp, an Israeli invasion on a school sheltering civilians killed at least 17 Palestinians, including children.

Israel claims the strike targeted a Hamas command center operating within the compound, but the high civilian toll has sparked international condemnation and calls for restraint.

Meanwhile, in northern Gaza, the Israeli military has launched a broad operation around Jabalia, a focal point for displaced Palestinians.

Medics in the region report critical shortages of medical supplies, food, and fuel, with multiple civilian and medical personnel casualties.

The Indonesian Hospital, one of three operational facilities in the north, reported one medic killed by Israeli attack while others were detained en route to the hospital.

The death toll in Gaza reportedly nears 43,000 as Israeli military operations continue. In response, global leaders are calling for diplomatic intervention.

On Thursday, the United States and France convened in Paris to discuss a potential ceasefire, though no formal resolutions have been reached.

In parallel, Lebanon has experienced an uptick in violence as three journalists were killed in southern Lebanon following an Israeli airstrike.

The growing fatalities on both fronts emphasize the heightened risks for civilians and media personnel across the region.

Qatar is set to host diplomatic negotiations beginning Sunday, where representatives from the US and Israel are expected to explore the potential for a ceasefire agreement.