Israeli strikes hit Gaza as Health Ministry urges Rafah opening

■ Steady

Israeli strikes continue in Gaza as Hebron stays under week-long lockdown

On Thursday Gaza's Health Ministry urged the opening of the Rafah crossing, saying dozens died awaiting treatment abroad, and reported Israeli attacks continuing despite the ceasefire. Israel has locked down Hebron for a week, with raids, home demolitions and displacement reported. Activists also accuse Israeli settlers of beating a US journalist and an Israeli-Russian activist in Umm al-Khair.

• The UN rights chief said the Hebron operation, which has displaced more than 3,000 Palestinians, must end, calling collective punishment a grave violation of international law.
• The Hebron operation followed the killing of two Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint near the city on Friday.
• UN-mandated investigators say Israel committed extermination in the West Bank and continues genocide in Gaza; Israel dismissed a related report as a 'misinformation campaign'.
• UN aid transport in Gaza was suspended on Tuesday when Israel closed Kerem Shalom for election day.