At least 31 people have been killed since dawn in Gaza City as Israeli forces carried out heavy artillery shelling, gunfire, and naval bombardments. The escalation comes as Qatar hosts a high-level summit of Arab and Muslim leaders on Sunday and Monday to decide on a collective response to Israel’s recent strike on Doha, which leaders have condemned as a “cowardly attack.”
Famine Claims More Lives in Gaza
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported two additional deaths from famine and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, raising the total death toll from hunger to 422, including 145 children. Since the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) formally declared famine in Gaza last month, 144 people among them 30 children have died of malnutrition.
Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Compound
Meanwhile, tensions flared in Jerusalem as Israeli settlers, escorted by police, stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Eyewitnesses told Wafa news agency that dozens of settlers entered in groups, conducted tours, and performed Talmudic rituals inside the sacred site.
New Evacuation Orders in Gaza City
In Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood, the Israeli army issued fresh evacuation orders as it pressed forward with operations. A military spokesperson urged residents to “evacuate immediately southward toward the humanitarian area in Mawasi Khan Younis” in a statement posted on X.
Drone Intercepted Over Israeli Airspace
Israel’s military also reported intercepting an unidentified aircraft fired from Yemen, prompting air raid sirens and the temporary closure of airspace near Ramon Airport in southern Israel. While officials confirmed the unmanned drone was destroyed, the Houthis have not released any statement regarding the incident.
Doha Emerges as Center of Arab-Islamic Diplomacy
Reporting from Doha, Al Jazeera’s Urooba Jamal described how the summit has transformed Qatar into a focal point of global diplomacy, attracting regional journalists and international outlets such as the Associated Press, China’s CGTN, and Euronews.
“Today Doha truly feels like the heart of the Arab and Islamic world,” said Maria Fernanda Arroyo, an international affairs correspondent at the Gulf Times. “This is not just politics it’s about protecting people, dignity, and world peace.”
Aadel Haleem of Euronews echoed the sentiment: “This is a historic time for journalists to witness and cover. All eyes are on Doha right now as ministers and leaders from across the region gather here.”
