Israel bombards Gaza as Netanyahu vows 'powerful response' to Houthis

Israeli forces continue bombarding Gaza, killing at least 14 Palestinians in pre-dawn strikes, including two women and two children in southern Khan Younis, Al Jazeera reports.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised “a powerful response” to Yemen’s Houthis after the rebels claimed more attacks on Israel, as well as US aircraft carriers in the Red Sea.

Palestinians in Gaza are mourning the death of Pope Francis, who had maintained close and consistent video contact with the small Christian community in the territory throughout the ongoing war.

At least 51,240 Palestinians have been confirmed killed and 1,16,931 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza since it began 18 months ago.

The Gaza Government Media Office updated its death toll to more than 61,700, saying that thousands of people missing under the rubble are presumed dead. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attacks, and more than 200 were taken captive.