Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., February 19, 2024)
The IDF forces continued to focus their activity on the Khan Yunis area, clashing with squads of terrorist operatives. At Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, where the forces have been operating for several days, hundreds of Gazans hiding in the hospital and suspected of terrorist activities were detained, among them operatives who had participated in the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack and massacre. Large quantities of weapons were also found in the hospital. Hamas reiterated its claim that given the difficult humanitarian situation in the northern Gaza Strip, if the issue of humanitarian aid to the northern Gaza Strip was not resolved, they would have no choice but to suspend the negotiations for a hostages deal. Senior Hamas members denied Israeli Defense Minister's statement that Hamas was looking for a replacement for Yahya al-Sinwar. During the past day Hezbollah claimed responsibility for nine attacks. : Senior Palestinian figures criticized the Israeli government's decision to limit the entry of Israeli Arabs to the Temple Mount for prayers during the month of Ramadan. The Houthis attacked a British-registered cargo ship operated by a Lebanese company. The ship was damaged and the crew abandoned it.The International Court of Justice in The Hague has begun discussing the Palestinian Authority's request for a Court opinion on the legality of the "Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories."
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