Five killed in Israeli strike on Gaza in response to attack on its soldiers

Five people were killed and 32 others injured on Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza that the Israeli military said was a response to an attack earlier in the day that wounded five Israeli soldiers.

According to medics in Khan Younis, two children, aged eight and 10, were among the dead.

The attack was the most recent test of a ceasefire that, despite allegations of violations by both sides, has largely held since early October.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas violated the ceasefire on Wednesday when, according to the army, militants emerged from a tunnel and attacked Israeli soldiers in an area under their control.

Israel has accused Hamas of ceasefire violations before launching previous airstrikes. Strikes killed 104 people in late October and 33 people in late November, according to local health officials.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israel said it received, via the Red Cross, the remains of a Thai national, one of the last remains of hostages killed in the Hamas-led militant attack on Southern Israel on 7 October 2023.

According to the Israeli prime minister's office, the body received on Wednesday was that of 43-year-old farm worker Suthisak Rintalak, one of two last dead hostages remaining in Gaza.

The remains were found on Wednesday by militants in northern Gaza after Israel announced the remains that Hamas handed over on Tuesday did not match either of the last two hostages.

A total of 31 workers from Thailand were abducted, the largest group of foreigners to be held in captivity.

The return of all the hostages taken during the 7 October attack that started the Israel-Hamas war is a key part of the first phase of the ceasefire that began in October. Israel has released scores of Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

Israel says Rafah crossing to open soon

Meanwhile, Israel says it would open up the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, which would allow Palestinians to leave Gaza.

According to the Israeli military body charged with facilitating aid to the Strip, COGAT, Israel would, in a few days, coordinate with Egypt on the exit of Palestinians, under the supervision of an EU mission.

Those wishing to leave Gaza will require “Israeli security approval,” COGAT said.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, the long-closed Rafah crossing is to be opened for medical evacuations and travel to and from the Strip.

Over 16,500 people in need of medical care require leaving Gaza for treatment, according to the World Health Organisation.