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Israeli army shut off Khan Younis after experiencing the biggest Gaza defeat.

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Friends and family mourn Israeli military reservist Sergeant First Class Hadar Kapeluk, 23 who was killed in the southern Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at his funeral at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, January 23, 2024. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

Israel’s military claimed on Tuesday that 24 Israeli troops were killed in its bloodiest day of casualties in Gaza, as its forces ringed southern Gaza’s largest city, trapping Palestinian inhabitants attempting to leave.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesman, claimed 21 troops were killed when two structures mined for demolition exploded after insurgents fired on a nearby tank. Earlier, three troops were reported dead in a separate incident in southern Gaza.

“Yesterday we had one of the most difficult days since the war began,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked. “In the name of our heroes, for the sake of our lives, we will not stop fighting until absolute victory.”

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) had on Monday launched a major operation to seize remaining parts of Khan Younis, the main city in the south of the enclave, which is sheltering hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians.

“Over the past day, IDF troops carried out an extensive operation during which they encircled Khan Younis and deepened the operation in the area,” the military said. “Ground troops engaged in close-quarters combat, directed strikes, and used intelligence to coordinate fire, resulting in the elimination of dozens of terrorists.”

Israel tanks, advancing west across the crowded city towards Mediterranean, shut the last road out towards the coast on Tuesday, blocking the escape route for civilians trying to flee southwest towards the Egyptian border, residents said by phone.

“I am trying to leave for Rafah but the tanks are now very near to the coast and are firing toward the west,” said Shaban, 45, an electrical engineer with four children. He said he still hoped to evacuate his family to the north.

At least 195 Palestinians were killed in the space of 24 hours, raising the documented toll to 25,490, according to Palestinian health officials, who say thousands more dead are feared lost in the rubble.

Palestinian officials said the advancing Israelis had blockaded hospitals, making it impossible to reach the dead and wounded.

At the European Hospital in Khan Younis, Ahed Masmah brought in five corpses, piled on a mattress on his donkey cart.

“I found them face-down in the street,” he said. “I did a good thing and brought them in.”

Bodies were being buried in the grounds of Khan Younis’s main Nasser hospital because it was unsafe to go out to the cemetery. Another hospital, Al-Khair, was stormed by Israeli troops who arrested staff, according to Palestinian officials.

Al-Amal Hospital, run by the Palestinian Red Crescent, was unreachable. The Red Crescent said a tank shell had hit its headquarters on the fourth floor, a civilian had been killed at the entrance and Israelis were firing from drones on anyone who moved nearby, making it impossible to dispatch ambulances.

Funeral of the Israeli military reservist Sergeant First Class Hadar Kapeluk at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem

[1/8]Friends and family mourn Israeli military reservist Sergeant First Class Hadar Kapeluk, 23 who was killed in the southern Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at his funeral at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem,… Acquire Licensing Rights, opens new tab Read more

Israel says Hamas fighters operate in and around hospitals, making them legitimate targets. Hospital staff and Hamas deny this.

‘GRAVEYARD FOR THE OCCUPATION’

The Israeli losses announced on Tuesday were celebrated as a victory by Palestinians.

“The resistance said it is going to make Gaza a graveyard for the occupation, and this is what is happening,” said Abu Khaled, sheltering in a school in Deir al-Balah, one of the few areas yet to be stormed by Israeli forces. “The more they stay, the more we will suffer for sure – but the more they will suffer too.”

Israelis spoke of the losses as a necessary sacrifice in a war against Hamas fighters who attacked Israeli towns on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing some 250 hostages, more than 100 still held in Gaza.

“You know, it’s our sons, it’s our brothers, it’s terrible – but we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do so that Oct. 7 doesn’t happen again,” said Blina Rhodes on the street in Jerusalem. “You have to get rid of Hamas and make Gaza safe for us. Otherwise, we have no place to live.”

Israel has vowed to wipe out Hamas, which is sworn to Israel’s destruction and has controlled Gaza since 2007. Since Israel launched its ground assault in October, nearly all Gaza’s 2.3 million people have lost their homes, most now penned into towns just north and south of Khan Younis.

Sami Abu Zuhri, head of the political office of Hamas in exile, said the Israeli losses were proof that the armed wing of Hamas was only getting stronger, and “the American and Israeli goal to get rid of Hamas or weaken it is not possible”.

“We call on the American administration to stop this pointless policy and stop betting on the possibility of weakening or finishing Hamas,” he said by phone from an undisclosed location.

Though the war still has overwhelming public support in Israel, discontent is emerging with Netanyahu’s strategy – committed to the total annihilation of Hamas but with only vague discussion of what should follow and no talk since the end of November of a ceasefire to free hostages.

Since last week, Netanyahu has publicly vowed never to allow an independent Palestinian state, disavowing the decades-old bedrock of Middle East policy of Israel’s main ally, Washington.

Relatives of hostages still held in Gaza have called for more effort to bring them home, even if that means reining in the war. Some burst into a parliamentary committee hearing on Monday.

Last week, a member of Netanyahu’s war cabinet, former military chief-of-staff Gadi Eisenkot, whose own soldier son was killed in Gaza last month, said the campaign had yet to destroy Hamas and no military operation could free the hostages.

The conflict has been accompanied by unrest elsewhere in the Middle East where armed groups allied to Israel’s arch-foe Iran operate, including Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, where the Iran-aligned Houthi movement has attacked ships in the Red Sea. The United States and Britain, which have retaliated against the Houthis this month, carried out more strikes overnight.

Mohamed Salah’s AFCON is now done! Liverpool player sustained ‘ serious hamstring strain’ on Egypt duty, and Pep Lijnders reveals extended rehabilitation period.

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Mohamed Salah’s AFCON is officially over as the Liverpool star has suffered a “proper hamstring tear” during Egypt duty.

The 31-year-old got a muscular injury during Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations encounter against Ghana, which finished 2-2. Salah’s injury was more serious than anticipated, and he is scheduled to undertake an extensive rehabilitation programme when he returns to Liverpool on Wednesday. He is unlikely to appear again in this round of the continental championship, even if Egypt advances to the finals, as he may require a month to regain full fitness.

WHAT PEP LIJNDERS SAID

Liverpool’s assistant manager, Pep Lijnders, informed reporters: “(A) proper tear in his hamstring. It’s expected [he will] return in three to four weeks if everything goes smoothly. It will go smoothly and it will go right because of how we’ve treated his body before.

“I always said before what I’m really happy about is the medical team of Egypt and the medical team of Liverpool really worked together and were in close contact and both made this decision. It’s an example of how international football and club football should operate to put the player in the centre.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Egypt’s record appearance-maker, Ahmed Hassan, questioned Salah’s commitment to his nation after he decided to leave the national camp and insisted that the forward should have stayed beside his team-mates “even if he only had one leg to stand on”. However, Lijnders sternly asserted that Salah was heading back to receive the best treatment possible and had no intention to desert his compatriots.

“The one you should never doubt the commitment of is Mo Salah,” said Lijnders.

“I know the country is devastated to lose him. He is massive. The only reason ours and their medical team decided for him to come back is to give the best chance to make the final if Egypt reach it.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Salah is yet to win the AFCON with Egypt as the most recent victory of the Pharaohs came in 2010, a year before the forward made his international debut. He came agonisingly close to lifting the trophy in 2021 but lost to Senegal in tie-breakers in the final.

WHAT NEXT?

Salah will have to watch from the stands when Liverpool face Fulham and Norwich City in the EFL Cup and FA Cup, respectively. But it will be a major blow to the Reds when they have to host Chelsea and take on Arsenal at Emirates in February in the Premier League. If Salah recovers on schedule he might be back in action against Brentford on February 17 or a week later against Luton Town at Anfield.

Jospong, EKI Energy Services partner to attract a billion USD from the carbon market

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The Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EKI Energy Services Limited to develop projects to attract a billion dollar from the carbon market trading in carbon credits.

The carbon credit, the tradable commodity, will be generated from JGC’s methane reduction initiatives under its waste management operations in the country.

Companies or individuals can use carbon markets to compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by purchasing carbon credits from entities that remove or reduce GHG.

One tradable carbon credit equals one tonne of carbon dioxide or the equivalent amount of a different greenhouse gas reduced, sequestered or avoided.

The JGC, EKI Energy Service partnership is expected to create over 1000 job opportunities by 2030 across Ghana and West Africa.

Under the terms of the agreement, EKI Energy Service will provide JGC with essential technical assistance for the successful implementation of the project.                          

Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Chairman of JGC, who signed on behalf of his Company at a ceremony in Accra, was upbeat that the goal of the pact would be achieved giving EKI Energy’s expertise and leadership in climate change.

“With EKI Energy experience, they can hand-hold us and propel strong development in the sector,” Dr. Agyepong stated.

Mr. Manish Dabkara, the Chief Executive Officer of EKI Energy Services Limited,  who signed the MoU, assured of his Company’s commitment towards providing strong technical support to attract carbon investments for JGC.

With a track record of supplying over 200 million offsets, he assured of his Company’s technical knowledge and experience to deliver on the mandate.

Dr Henry Kokofu, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), hailed the  collaboration as a significant milestone that would position Ghana prominently on the global map.

“This is one of the legacies of President Akufo-Addo, who has championed private sector participation in the climate change arena,” Dr. Kokofu said.

Already JGC under the Ghana and Switzerland cooperation bilateral agreement is implementing an Integrated Waste Recycling and Composting for Methane Reduction project which would slash methane from five landfills by producing organic fertilizer for crop production.

As part of the initiative, Jospong, a waste management company, is building an integrated waste plant to sort, process and recycle Municipal solid waste in Ho, Dambai, Goaso and Sunyani municipalities.

Over 1.5 million tonnes are expected to be reduced by the year 2030, producing 13,000 metric tons of compost annually and fostering the creation of approximately 1,000 jobs.

The initiative is the first in Africa and second globally, a project under Article six of the Paris Agreement.

The two strategies, he stated, were under Article 6.3 of the Paris Agreement and Article 5.1 of the Cooperation

The agreement between the Ghana and the Swiss Confederation, signed on 23rd November 2020, aimed at authorising the International Transfer and use of Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs).

Degradable organic materials make up the bulk of Ghana’s discarded Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), a study on the composition of MSW conducted by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, has revealed.

About 65 per cent of the waste stream consists of organics while other materials arising from the practice of hand-sweeping sand constituted about 17.1 per cent of the waste stream.

Together, organics and inert material accounted for about 82 per cent of the waste.

The trend is no different from most urban centres of the country.

“This high percentage of organic material has often led to the suggestion that composting can be an appropriate and viable disposal MSW technique for the country,” the report said.

EKI Energy Services Ltd. (EKI) is a leading Carbon Credit Developer & Supplier globally listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

With over 15 years of experience, EKI is a market leader in climate change, carbon offset solutions, and carbon asset management, operating in 16 countries with over 3500 clients worldwide.

The Jospong Group of Companies on the other hand is a diversified holdings company in Ghana, operating across 14 sectors of the economy, with a significant presence in Waste Management, ICT, Banking, as well as Automobile and Equipment.

The Company’s operations extend to other African countries and Asia.

Afenyo Markin asks for calm procedure in the 2024 elections.

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Alexander Afenyo Markin, Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Effutu, is calling for a calm climate prior to, during, and following the 2024 general elections.

He asked Ghanaians to maintain a peaceful environment while remaining unified.

The Deputy Majority Leader, speaking to teachers and children at Winneba Secondary School, where he presented some things, stated that Ghana is the only nation citizens have, emphasising the need to defend it.

Speaking about the 2024 general elections, the legislator urged Ghanaians to remain calm and united, emphasizing that a common destiny binds citizens of the country.

Although the recently held District Level Elections in his constituency turned a bit acrimonious, the legislator believes such atmospheres do not augur well for the development of the country’s democracy as well as its overall development.

He expressed his desire to witness views and opinions expressed without hurting each other and thus urged political and non-political actors to be careful about their choice of words to prevent creating an atmosphere filled with acrimony.

“Let’s remain peaceful, let’s remain united since we are one people. Elections will come and go. We must be careful with our choice of words as a people. Let me remind you that in Parliament, we don’t fight. Don’t be deceived by what you see on television. We’re friends, and even after the debate, we drink and eat together,” the Effutu legislator said.

The Effutu Member of Parliament also urged students of Winneba Secondary School to remain firm and resolute in their quest to attain higher education, adding that engaging in social vices will only destroy their future.

“As students, focus on your education instead of things from the outside world. Your books should be your friend at this level. You are in your formative days, and avoid habits that will be part of you forever. Have self-control and dream big,” Afenyo Markin entreated.

The Member of Parliament also donated office equipment to the Ghana Immigration Service in Effutu, urging them to ensure that they are put to good use.

Receiving the items on behalf of the Immigration Service in Winneba, Central Regional Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service, DCO1 Eric Afari expressed his gratitude to the MP, ensuring that the office logistics and other equipment would aid in the discharge of the duties of the service.

“We are most grateful for the gesture, but I must say that our operations will be enhanced. The computers will be used to generate intelligence reports on time,” DCO1 Eric Afari noted.

Over 90 OMCs suspend operation in the Central Region

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A total of 95 Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) out of the registered 422 OMCs operating in the Central Region have suspended operation as of December 2023.

 According to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), eight out of them could also not be located, signifying they had either gone out of operation or decommissioned.

 The challenges of the OMCs were largely financial, according to Mr Michael Opoku, Central Regional Manager of NPA.

“The 95 OMCs that have suspended operations means that they are located facilities but not working. They have varying reasons, particularly lack of funds to lift from sponsoring company.

“If your sponsoring OMC has financial issues and is not lifting, obviously you cannot operate. Such OMCs can switch by writing formally to your sponsoring OMC and NPA to ensure the necessary rebranding and legalities are affected to return to operation,” Mr Opoku explained.

For the OMCs in extinction, Mr Opoku said: “I’m sure majority of the eight will be the “Gaogao” outlets because they can easily and illegally decommission by themselves, but a registered filling station cannot be easily decommissioned.”

“We do not subscribe to their outmoded means of operation, and we are working with them to regularise their operations in accordance with the law. So far, we have identified only two in the Region that are fully cooperating with us.”

Across the 22 districts in the region, he said the Awutu Senya East Municipality with an estimated 240,000 people had 96 OMCs being the highest, followed by Mfantseman Municipality 41, and Assin North having the least with six.

The concentration of OMCs was driven by population and location such as Agona West, Fosu Municipality, Effutu, Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abram and Upper Denkyira East and West were leading in OMC businesses.

In the hard-to-reach communities, he said table-top black market selling of petroleum products appeared rife, noting that: “All forms of illegal sale of fuel particularly at homes, table tops and public places without regard to law and safety won’t be countenanced.”

Mr Opoku said the NPA Act prohibited any person other than a licenced operators under the Act from being in a possession of a petroleum product in quantities unreasonably exceeding that person’s immediate requirement.

The NPA could not authenticate the quality of such petroleum products that had the potential to spoil vehicle tanks and engines.

“Those outlets lack the necessary safety measures and infrastructure to handle and store petroleum products safely. Some of them often operate near public spaces, tabletops, gallons, and obscure corners, thereby increasing the risk of accidents and fire outbreaks.

“The absence of proper or adequate fire prevention systems, such as firefighting equipment and trained personnel, further exacerbates these dangers, he said.

“Therefore, the NPA cannot guarantee the quality of such petroleum products and we want all to desist from patronizing their services.

“Such illegal sellers are festering the incidence of possible fuel adulteration with dire ramifications in case of explosion,” the Central Regional Manager noted.

He advised the public about risks associated with purchasing petroleum products from unauthorised reseller outlets and encouraged them to purchase such products from authorised reseller outlets and fuel stations.

He said, ‘’users of petroleum products must buy from properly licensed and certified fuel stations across Ghana so that they would have the best of fuels to undertake their operations and activities.”

Re-elected assemblyman to ensure completion of developmental projects

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Mr Derek Adzoe, the re-elected Assemblyman for the Torkoni and Blave Electoral Areas of the Hohoe Municipality in the Volta region, says his re-election would see the completion of developmental projects in the area.

He said his major objective was to make sure that the Blave Road projects were completed.

Mr Adzoe in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), revealed that the projects, which started in 2020, could not be completed because the contractor later abandoned it due to the economic crisis that had hit the country.

He was optimistic that the contractor would soon return to continue and complete the project, as the dusty nature of the roads, especially the major road linking Blave to Atabu was creating huge discomfort for these communities.

Mr Adzoe said his first term as the Assemblyman saw the extension of electricity to areas such as Gboxome down, Paloma top and Blave down through Mr John-Peter Amewu’s electrification projects.

Again, he lobbied for plastic chairs for the Blave Weighing Centre and medical equipment for Blave Central Hospital through Mr Amewu.

Mr Adzoe said through his effort a plot of land was acquired to build a clinic for the people of Yesuko- a suburb and undertook periodic renewal of health insurance cards for the electorate.

He said he constructed wooden foot bridges and the construction of two boreholes which were yet to commence.

Mr Adzoe lobbied for a 3-Unit classroom block with ancillary facilities with provision of 150 desks for the Methodist Basic School, Torkoni.

Aside these, he was instrumental in giving the Hohoe Municipal Library a facelift with planting green grasses and a future for internet connectivity.

Mr Adzoe said he had lobbied for the construction of a children’s park for the Area, with which construction works would begin early next year.

He called on the electorate to continue supporting him in his new term and report their concerns for the necessary actions to be taken.

Medical Superintendent urges public to support healthcare access to rural communities

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Dr Sefakor Kpormegbe, Medical Superintendent of Ketu North Municipal Hospital has appealed to citizens to support efforts of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in providing free access to healthcare in rural communities.

She said most rural communities were either challenged by the absence of health infrastructure and equipment, or outmoded structures and that the only time some community members might get to access quality healthcare, was through health outreaches to those areas.

Dr Kpormegbe made the appeal during a free medical screening exercise organised at Bedikope in Ketu North by Morfiala Foundation, an NGO, with funding from Angels for Brazil and Africa.

She commended the NGO for the initiative to provide free medical service to over 300 participants in the community and its adjoining ones saying, the Foundation needed more push for sustenance of the programme and to reach out to other remote areas.

“While I call on other NGOs to emulate the move by Morfiala Foundation to embark on this exercise, I’ll appeal to individuals who have the means to support the work of NGOs, especially those into health to enable them provide services to meet the healthcare needs of rural communities.”

“Access to healthcare in most rural communities is challenging and it has a serious health implication for the population. Sometimes, it takes God’s mercy to save clients when they arrive late to major health facilities, which are miles away from them,” Dr Kpormegbe said.

Madam Rebecca Dzidzorgbe Amuzu, the President of Morfiala Foundation, expressed appreciation to the medical team and donors for their support to screen over 300 people for various medical conditions.

She said medical outreach was important to make healthcare accessible to people in rural communities to achieve the goal number three of the United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals.

Madam Amuzu also called on donors not only to support the health sector, but vocational skills development of teenage girls to alleviate poverty in society.

Mr Kofi Jonathan Vordzorgbe, Director of Angels for Brazil, and Africa, assured of their continuous support for such initiatives to provide access to healthcare to people in remote areas saying, theirs was for the rural community.

Some beneficiaries who spoke to Ghana News Agency expressed their joy for the initiative to bring a medical team to Bedikope to see to their health needs.

Togbi Bedie Ahadzi IV, the Chief of Bedikope thanked the Foundation and all who made the medical mission possible saying the community needed more of such initiatives.

He said the community would provide land to any NGO that could build a permanent health facility for them so that the people would not have to travel long distances to seek healthcare, and it would also complement the work of the Municipal Hospital at Weta, which was not easily accessible to the community.

The UK industry worries about disruption from new post-Brexit border controls.

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British firms are warning of a fresh wave of post-Brexit trade disruption because EU exporters are not ready for UK customs reforms that begin this month, and Britain’s port infrastructure may also be inadequate.
Britain exited the European Union’s single market in January 2021, but it has frequently postponed placing tariffs on EU goods.

In contrast, the EU promptly implemented its requirements, causing port delays in 2021 and driving some British exporters, like as cheesemakers and high-end meat farms, to discontinue sales to the bloc, at least temporarily.

Make UK, which represents manufacturers, claimed in December that 90% of the enterprises it surveyed still had difficulty doing business with the EU, with customs and clearance being the most significant hurdle.

Marco Forgione, Director General of the Institute of Export & International Trade, representing UK importers, said large EU firms would probably cope with Britain’s new rules but smaller ones – such as specialist food exporters – might struggle.

Some of them might decide it has become too complicated to trade with the UK and stop exporting, Forgione said.

“That then leads to price pressure and the possibility of scarcity,” he said.

THREE PHASES

Britain has postponed full implementation of its post-Brexit border controls on food and fresh products five times due to worries about port disruption and the cost-of-living crisis.

But its new Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) comes into force on Jan. 31 and will be introduced in three phases.

Initially, EU exporters of animal and plant products, such as eggs, dairy, meat and berries, will be required to present Export Health Certificates (EHCs) to British authorities.

But physical checks on shipments will only start on April 30 followed by a requirement for safety and security certificates from Oct. 31.

“We remain committed to delivering the most advanced border in the world,” a government spokesperson said.

William Bain, head of trade policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said there was a risk of congestion and delays when the checks start in April.

Britain imports up to 70% of its fresh food from the EU in the winter months, falling to about 30% in warmer months, with as many as 1,000 trucks daily arriving at its ports.

“Will the government enforce by preventing material which doesn’t have an electronic EHC from entering the GB border? Or does it let stuff in and then simply enforce through contact with the companies involved afterwards?” Bain said.

“The government’s not telling us what they’re going to do.”

The British Retail Consortium and the Fresh Produce Consortium have also expressed concern. The British Meat Processors Association is worried that a lack of veterinary capacity in the EU might slow health certification.

James Barnes, chair of the Horticultural Trades Association, said there was a risk that the UK’s new border infrastructure, processes and IT systems would not be ready for April, the biggest month for plant shipments.

“It’s unfortunate that it’s happening when we think things aren’t ready and at the busiest time of year,” Barnes said.

The government said all infrastructure and systems were ready or on track to be ready by April and it would implement checks carefully with a view to avoiding delays.

The Dutch Association of Wholesalers in Floricultural Products called for a delay in the UK border checks until 2025.

That plea fell on deaf ears, but with a British national election expected in 2024, businesses hope the government might adopt a light touch to avoid delays and shortages.

“They’ve got the powers to dial up or dial down the mode of enforcement that they want to use, so it’s entirely in their hands to wave stuff through,” said the BCC’s Bain.

Four people were killed during a Russian air strike on Ukrainian cities.

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Russia launched a massive air assault on Ukraine on Tuesday, according to local sources, killing at least four people and injuring more than 60 others.

The early-morning missile strike primarily targeted Ukraine’s two main cities, the capital Kyiv and Kharkiv in the east.

Strikes on residential complexes in Kharkiv killed three people and injured 42 others, said to Governor Oleh Synehubov on Telegram.

Mayor Ihor Terekhov told local television that rescue personnel were searching through wreckage in search of survivors. He said that the strikes had destroyed 30 residential structures.

A gas pipeline in Kharkiv was also damaged and was being repaired, state energy firm Naftogaz said.

In Kyiv, Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said 20 people including three children had been wounded across at least three districts, and that several apartments and non-residential buildings had caught fire.

At one site, rescuers tended to dazed and groaning victims as workers swept away debris and broken glass.

Some of the damage had occurred next to the United Nations office in Kyiv, resident coordinator Denise Brown said in a statement.

The city’s military administration said doctors were still fighting for one victim’s life.

Reuters journalists reported hearing several waves of explosions in and around Kyiv and saw burning debris falling from the sky.

“Strong explosions, our house…was shaking,” lawmaker Iryna Geraschenko wrote on Telegram.

One person was also killed in the southeastern city of Pavlohrad, the regional governor said.

Ukraine’s air force said the military had destroyed 21 out of 41 missiles of various types fired by Russia.

A senior Ukrainian general, Serhiy Naiev, posted a video which he said depicted air defence forces shooting down a Russian missile with a machinegun.

Kyiv has repeatedly called for higher quantities of advanced air defence systems from its Western partners as it struggles to defend itself from the combined Russian strikes.

“The world must understand that this terror can only be stopped by force,” the head of Ukraine’s presidential administration, Andriy Yermak, wrote on Telegram.

Officials in the northern region of Sumy also said critical infrastructure had been damaged by a missile strike on the city of Shostka.

Russia, which did not immediately comment on the attack, has carried out regular air strikes on cities and civilian infrastructure far behind the front line of its nearly two-year-old war in Ukraine.

Moscow had accused Kyiv on Sunday of shelling the Russian-occupied eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, killing 27 people. Ukrainian forces said Russia bore responsibility for the attack.

Israel claims to have besieged Khan Younis and killed 24 troops.

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Twenty-four Israeli troops were killed in Israel’s bloodiest day of casualties in Gaza on Tuesday, as the military claimed to have ringed southern Gaza’s largest city in a massive ground assault.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesman, claimed 21 troops were killed when two structures mined for demolition exploded after insurgents fired on a nearby tank. Earlier, three troops were reported dead in a separate incident in southern Gaza.

“Yesterday we had one of the most difficult days since the war began,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked. “In the name of our heroes, for the sake of our lives, we will not stop fighting until absolute victory.”

Twenty-four Israeli troops were killed in Israel’s bloodiest day of casualties in Gaza on Tuesday, as the military claimed to have ringed southern Gaza’s largest city in a massive ground assault.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesman, claimed 21 troops were killed when two structures mined for demolition exploded after insurgents fired on a nearby tank. Earlier, three troops were reported dead in a separate incident in southern Gaza.

“Yesterday we had one of the most difficult days since the war began,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked. “In the name of our heroes, for the sake of our lives, we will not stop fighting until absolute victory.”

The deaths came amid the heaviest fight of 2024 so far, as the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stormed remaining parts of Khan Younis, the main city in the south of the enclave sheltering hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians.

“Over the past day, IDF troops carried out an extensive operation during which they encircled Khan Younis and deepened the operation in the area. The area is a significant stronghold of Hamas’ Khan Younis Brigade,” the military said.

“Ground troops engaged in close-quarters combat, directed (air) strikes, and used intelligence to coordinate fire, resulting in the elimination of dozens of terrorists.”

Gazans say the Israeli forces, advancing west across the crowded city towards the Mediterranean coast since Monday, have blockaded and stormed hospitals, leaving the wounded and dead beyond the reach of rescuers.

At least 195 Palestinians were killed in the previous 24 hours, raising the documented toll to 25,490, according to Palestinian health officials, who say thousands more dead are feared lost in the rubble.

Bodies were being buried in the grounds of Khan Younis’s main Nasser hospital because it was unsafe to go to the cemetery. Another Khan Younis hospital, Al-Khair, was stormed by Israeli troops who arrested staff there, and a third, Al-Amal, run by the Palestinian Red Crescent, was unreachable, according to Palestinian officials.

The Red Crescent said a tank shell had hit its headquarters on Amal’s fourth floor, a civilian had been killed at the entrance, and Israeli forces were firing from drones on anyone who moved nearby, making it impossible to dispatch ambulances for the entire Khan Younis area.

Israel says Hamas fighters operate in and around hospitals, making them legitimate targets. Hospital staff and Hamas deny this.

‘GRAVEYARD FOR THE OCCUPATION’

Funeral of the Israeli military reservist Sergeant First Class Hadar Kapeluk at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem

[1/8]Friends and family mourn Israeli military reservist Sergeant First Class Hadar Kapeluk, 23 who was killed in the southern Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at his funeral at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem,… Acquire Licensing Rights, opens new tab Read more

Palestinians celebrated the Israeli losses as a victory, while Israelis spoke of them as a necessary sacrifice in a war against Hamas fighters who attacked Israeli towns on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing some 250 hostages, around half of whom remain in Gaza.

“The resistance said it is going to make Gaza a graveyard for the occupation, and this is what is happening,” said Abu Khaled, sheltering in a school in Deir al-Balah, one of the few areas yet to be stormed by Israeli forces.

“The more they stay, the more we will suffer for sure – but the more they will suffer too.”

Blina Rhodes, an Israeli woman on the street in Jerusalem, said: “You know, it’s our sons, it’s our brothers, it’s terrible – but we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do so that Oct. 7 doesn’t happen again. You have to get rid of Hamas and make Gaza safe for us. Otherwise, we have no place to live.”

Sami Abu Zuhri, head of the political office of Hamas in exile, said the Israeli losses were proof that the armed wing of Hamas was only getting stronger, and “the American and Israeli goal to get rid of Hamas or weaken it is not possible”.

“We call on the American administration to stop this pointless policy and stop betting on the possibility of weakening or finishing Hamas,” he said by phone from an undisclosed location. “Instead, the American administration must recognise the rights of the Palestinian people in freedom.”

Israel has vowed to wipe out Hamas, which is sworn to Israel’s destruction and has controlled Gaza since 2007. Since Israel launched its ground assault in October, nearly all Gaza’s 2.3 million people have lost their homes, the vast majority now penned into towns just north and south of Khan Younis, many sleeping rough in makeshift tents, with inadequate food, water or medication.

Though the war still has overwhelming public support in Israel, discontent is emerging with Netanyahu’s strategy – committed to the total annihilation of Hamas but with only vague discussion of what should follow.

Since last week, Netanyahu has publicly vowed never to allow an independent Palestinian state, disavowing the decades-old bedrock of Middle East policy of Israel’s main ally, Washington.

Relatives of hostages still held in Gaza have called for more effort to bring them home, even if that means reining in the military campaign. Some burst into a parliamentary committee hearing on Monday.

Last week, a member of Netanyahu’s war cabinet, former military chief-of-staff Gadi Eisenkot, whose own soldier son was killed in Gaza last month, said the campaign had yet to dismantle Hamas and there was no hope of freeing the hostages by force. He called for elections to replace a government he said had lost public confidence.

The conflict has been accompanied by an escalation in violence elsewhere in the Middle East where armed groups allied to Israel’s arch-foe Iran operate, including Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

The Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which controls most of the populated parts of Yemen, has attacked shipping in the Red Sea in what it says is support for Gaza. The United States and Britain, which have retaliated against the Houthis this month, carried out more air strikes overnight.

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