A flash of light followed by the sound of an explosion was observed over Gaza early on Saturday, according to witnesses, as severe winter storms worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis in the territory.
The circumstances surrounding the incident were not immediately clear.
The development comes as U.S. officials say international troops could be deployed to the Gaza Strip as early as next month as part of a United Nations-authorised stabilisation force aimed at addressing both security and humanitarian concerns. No formal decision has yet been announced by the UN.
At the same time, torrential rainfall since Thursday has flooded hundreds of tents sheltering families displaced by nearly two years of conflict, aid agencies and local officials said. The flooding has left thousands exposed to cold temperatures and at risk of further displacement. Municipal authorities and civil defence teams said fuel shortages, damaged equipment and limited resources were hampering response efforts and slowing rescue and relief operations.
Displaced residents described desperate conditions in overcrowded camps.
“All night long, the children and I were on our feet,” said Youssef Tawtah, a displaced Palestinian. “If I, an adult, can’t handle it, how can small children? None of us slept. Our food is ruined. We are helpless.”
The United Nations estimates that around 850,000 displaced people in Gaza are at high risk of flooding due to severe winter storms. According to UN agencies, at least three children have died from hypothermia, while 14 people were killed by collapsing structures caused by heavy rain and strong winds.
The UN said hundreds of thousands of tents have been damaged, leaving families exposed to cold and worsening living conditions. Rescue teams continue to assist affected communities, but shortages of equipment, fuel and shelter materials are significantly limiting their ability to respond.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington has agreed to resume talks with Iran after Tehran requested further negotiations, but declared that last m...
What began as a fan-created chant just months ago has become one of the defining images of this year's FIFA World Cup, with Norway's "Viking Row" swee...
Russia’s fuel shortages are spreading into Central Asia, exposing the region’s heavy reliance on Russian petrol and diesel as governments race to ...
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington has agreed to resume talks with Iran after Tehran requested further negotiations, but declared that last month's ceasefire between the two countries was "over".
What began as a fan-created chant just months ago has become one of the defining images of this year's FIFA World Cup, with Norway's "Viking Row" sweeping through stadiums, city streets and social media.
AnewZ's Daybreak on 10 July covered mounting tensions in the Middle East, political developments in the UK, and major stories from the South Caucasus and Central Asia, alongside key international news.
Ukraine is facing one of the most difficult moments of the war, as a convergence of corruption scandals, political turbulence, financial uncertainty and intensifying Russian offensives places unprecedented strain on the country’s ability to defend itself.
It has been a punishing week for large parts of China, and forecasters warn the worst may not be over. After Typhoon Maysak left a trail of destruction and at least 23 people dead, Super Typhoon Bavi is now threatening the country's eastern coast.
At least 12 people have been killed in forest fires in Almeria in southern Spain, Andalucía’s emergency agency has said, as firefighters continue efforts to put out the blaze.
The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes has risen to 3,811, according to figures released by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez on Wednesday.
The U.S. military said on Wednesday it launched fresh strikes on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping, triggering Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain in the latest escalation to derail efforts to end the war.
Typhoon Bavi churned southeast of Taiwan in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, its winds easing overnight to just shy of 200 kph (124 mph), as authorities urged residents to stock up on supplies and brace for what could be the most powerful typhoon since 2024.
This is the last of four articles in AnewZ's series examining how conservationists are working to protect and repair damage done to the Aral Sea which lies between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Temperatures above 40°C are scorching parts of Central Asia, prompting the World Health Organization to warn that extreme heat is becoming an increasing public health threat across the region.
This is the third of four articles in AnewZ's series examining how conservationists are working to protect and repair damage done to the Aral Sea which lies between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington has agreed to resume talks with Iran after Tehran requested further negotiations, but declared that last month's ceasefire between the two countries was "over".
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered Pakistan's economic growth forecast for FY2027 to 3.7%, down from its April 2026 projection of 4.5%.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment