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.
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Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday (30 May).
Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations, citing Yerevan's growing rapprochement with the European Union. The move is seen as the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the longtime allies ahead of Armenia's parliamentary election on 7 June.
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings and ongoing investigations linked to its subsidiary Lafarge's activities during the Syrian conflict.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says ongoing conflict, funding pressures and international travel restrictions are complicating efforts to contain a fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations, citing Yerevan's growing rapprochement with the European Union. The move is seen as the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the longtime allies ahead of Armenia's parliamentary election on 7 June.
At least 22 people have been killed - including children - and 35 others injured after a truck carrying Afghan returnees overturned in eastern Afghanistan, local officials say.
A renewed wave of U.S. diplomatic activity in the South Caucasus highlights Washington’s growing focus on regional connectivity, trade and security, according to Associate Professor George Mchedlishvili of European University in Tbilisi.
Kyrgyzstan has signed a series of cooperation agreements with China and Belarus at the Fifth Forum of Regional Leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states, underlining the country's growing economic engagement within the regional bloc.
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