An undercover Israeli military team attacked a hospital in Jenin, West Bank, killing three militants on Tuesday. The attack has been condemned by Hamas leaders as an “execution” and a war crime, with threats of a response. The Israeli military justified the attack by claiming that the militants were planning a major attack and were using the hospital as a hideout. The Palestinian Health Ministry released a video showing gunmen in civilian clothing sweeping through the hospital with guns drawn. Hamas rejected the claim that hospitals were being used as shelters and human shields.
Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh stated that he was considering an invitation to visit Cairo to discuss a framework agreement aimed at halting the fighting and freeing more hostages. Additionally, over 1,000 Swedish artists have urged Eurovision to ban Israel from the 2024 singing competition, citing war crimes as the reason.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel will not withdraw its troops from Gaza or release thousands of Palestinian prisoners as part of any deal for the return of over 100 militants held hostage. He emphasized Israel’s commitment to achieving “total victory” over Hamas. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also asserted that Israel would maintain military control of postwar Gaza, similar to its security control in the West Bank.
The Department of Defense identified the three U.S. Army Reserve soldiers killed in a drone attack near the Syrian border in Jordan as Sgt. William Rivers, Spc. Kennedy Sanders, and Spc. Breonna Moffett. They are the first U.S. troops killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October. The number of wounded soldiers has risen to 40, with a possibility of an increase as more symptoms are reported.
