Latest in the Middle East: According to Palestinian officials, an Israeli attack kills three people in the central Gaza Strip

An Israeli attack hit a tent housing a displaced family in the central Gaza Strip, killing at least three people, including the parents of twins, according to Palestinian health authorities.

The strike late Sunday in the city’s Nuseirat refugee camp injured the two 10-year-old children, whose serious injuries were treated at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah.

The details of the victims were listed in hospital records and an Associated Press reporter saw two of the bodies.

The Israeli military says it only targets militants and accuses them of hiding among civilians.

Palestinians reported heavy bombings late Sunday in the western areas of Nuseirat camp, dating back to the 1948 war over the creation of Israel.

At least 24 people were injured and taken to Awda Hospital in Nuseirat, said Mohamed Muhareb, head of the hospital’s emergency services.

The war between Israel and Hamas began after militants stormed Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people – mostly civilians – and kidnapping 250 others. According to Palestinian health authorities, the Israeli military response in the Gaza Strip has killed more than 43,000 people. They do not distinguish between civilians and combatants but say more than half of those killed were women and children.

Hezbollah began firing on Israel on October 8, 2023 in solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Since the conflict began, more than 3,100 people have been killed and nearly 13,900 injured in Lebanon, the Health Ministry reported.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed Monday they fired a rocket at Israel.

Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree made the claim in a pre-recorded video message, claiming the rebels had fired a Palestine-2 ballistic missile, which he described as a “hypersonic missile,” at a military base.

The Israeli military said it “intercepted a projectile approaching Israel from the direction of Yemen.” The Israelis also said the fire did not enter Israeli territory.

During the ongoing Middle East wars, the Houthis have fired missiles and targeted ships through the Red Sea corridor. The rebels said separately that sites in the country were likely targeted by U.S. airstrikes early Monday morning, which was not immediately acknowledged by the Americans.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A senior United Arab Emirates diplomat urged the world to focus on the plight of civilians and de-escalate ongoing wars in the Middle East.

Anwar Gargash’s comments on Monday at the strategic debate in Abu Dhabi followed the pattern of the UAE’s statements amid the Middle East wars. The United Arab Emirates, a coalition of seven sheikhdoms based in Dubai, diplomatically recognized Israel in 2020.

“The complexity of the region requires a steady hand and a clear and consistent vision,” Gargash said. “The recent cycle of escalation between Israel and Iran cannot become a permanent part of our region’s strategic landscape. This needs to be addressed through a policy framework.”

He called for “pragmatism” and a “serious political horizon” to resolve the larger Israeli-Palestinian conflict and achieve a two-state solution. He described the war in Gaza as “driven by extremists on both sides, Israeli and Arab.” Nevertheless, he also described the “systemic violence” faced by Palestinians in Gaza as “criminal and unacceptable.”

He added: “At this time, it is important to recognize that not all crises stem from the Palestinian issue, but it undeniably remains central to the conflict in our region.”

The UAE has provided aid to both Gaza and Lebanon in the wars while maintaining diplomatic ties with Israel. However, the UAE has at times publicly criticized Israel’s behavior in the wars.

Gargash also expressed criticism of governance in both the Palestinian territories and Lebanon.

“Drastic reform is essential in both Palestine and Lebanon so that the world can intervene and provide significant support,” Gargash said.

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