Israel-Gaza latest: Israeli tanks reach centre of Rafah; Ireland formally recognises Palestine as independent state (2024)

The Israeli military are holding a press conference in which they have said an initial investigation into a strike that caused a deadly fire in a tent camp in Rafah at the weekend was caused by a secondary explosion.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesman, said the military is looking into the possibility weapons stored at the site may have been ignited as a cause of the strike (see 14.01pm post).

Some 45 people were killed in the blaze.

During the press conference Mr Hagari said:

• The fire that broke out was "unexpected and unintended;
• It was a "devastating incident which we did not expect";
• He said the investigation is ongoing, but Israeli forces targeted a closed structure away from a tented area;
• The strike was conducted using two munitions with small warheads with17kg (37lb) of explosive material - "the smallest munitions that our jets can use";
• He said following the strike a fire ignited for reasons that are still being investigated;
• But added: "Our munitions alone could not have ignited a fire of that size";
• He said: "We are looking at all possibilities including that weapons stored at the site may have ignited as a cause of the strike";
• Mr Hagari said Hamas had been operating in the area since its attack on Israel on 7 October;
• He concluded by saying: "We are working to verify the cause of the fire. It is still too early to determine what happened. Even when we do, it won't make this situation any less tragic."

A ship that was taking on water after being targeted by three missiles off the coast of Yemen (see 11.32am post) is heading to port.

The location of the attack, reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre, corresponded to the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Laax. The ship is managed by a Greek company.

The vessel "sustained damage" in the assault and later reported an "impact in the water in close proximity to the vessel", the UKMTO said.

"The crew are reported safe and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call," it added.

British security firm Ambrey said the vessel reported by radio having"sustained damage to the cargo hold and was taking on water". It said it had been targeted in a missile attack.

The ship reported being headed to the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have launched repeated drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea region since November, later expanding to the Indian Ocean in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The Israeli military has said an initial investigation into a strike that sparked a deadly fire in a tent camp in Rafah, killing at least 45 people, has found the blaze was caused by a secondary explosion.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesman, said the military fired two 17kg (37lb) munitions that targeted two senior Hamas militants.

He said the munitions would have been too small to ignite a fire on their own and the military is looking into the possibility that weapons were stored in the area.

The fire could also have ignited fuel, cooking gas canisters or other materials in the densely populated camp, which was housing displaced people.

Satellite imagery by Planet Labs PBC shows the area that was hit:

The strike caused widespread outrage and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was the result of a "tragic mishap".

New strikes in the same western Tel al Sultan district of Rafah have killed at least 16 Palestinians,the Palestinian Civil Defense and the Palestinian Red Crescent have said.

Another strike killed seven Palestinians and wounded dozens more, according to Palestinian health officials (see 1.25pm post).

Some 21 Palestinians have been killed and dozens wounded in new Israeli strikes on a tent area to the west of Rafah, Palestinian health officials have said.

The strikes targeted tents of displaced families in the designated humanitarian area in Mawasi in western Rafah, medics and residents told Reuters.

At least 12 of those killed were women, medical officials said.

It comes after Israeli strikes on Rafah killed at least 16 Palestinians, as residents reported an escalation of fighting in the city in southern Gaza.

Those strikes took place in the same area where Israel targeted what it said was a Hamas compound on Sunday night - in an attack that ignited a fire in a camp for displaced Palestinians and killed at least 45 people, according to local health officials.

Spain and Norway have joined Ireland in formally recognising a Palestinian state.

Israel has said the move will have no immediate impact on its war against Hamas in Gaza.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told his nation in a televised address from Madrid that "this is a historic decision that has a single goal, and that is to help Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace."

But Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz quickly lashed out at Spain on X, saying Mr Sanchez's government was "being complicit in inciting genocide against Jews and war crimes."

Norwegian foreign minister Espen Barth Eide said "for more than 30 years, Norway has been one of the strongest advocates for a Palestinian state. Today, when Norway officially recognizes Palestine as a state, is a milestone in the relationship between Norway and Palestine."

While some 140 countries have recognised a Palestinian state, more than two-thirds of the United Nations, none of the major Western powers have done so.

But the move by three European countries represents a victory for Palestinian efforts in the world of public opinion and will likely put pressure on France and Germany to rethink their position.

The UK and US back the idea of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, but argue it should come as part of a negotiated settlement.

For more on the calls Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces to follow Spain, Norway and Ireland, read this:

Ireland has formally recognised Palestine as a sovereign and independent state.

The Irish government said it had agreed to establish full diplomatic relations between Dublin and Ramallah and said an ambassador to the state of Palestine will be appointed, along with a full embassy of Ireland in Ramallah.

In a statement, the government said it noted the tragic backdrop to the announcement and again called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages and unhindered access of humanitarian aid.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said: "This decision of Ireland is about keeping hope alive.

"It is about believing that a two-state solution is the only way for Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace and security.

"We had wanted to recognise Palestine at the end of a peace process however we have made this move alongside Spain and Norway to keep the miracle of peace alive.

"I again call on Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel to listen to the world and stop the humanitarian catastrophe we are seeing in Gaza."

At least 36,096 Palestinians have been killed and 81,136 have been wounded since the war began in October, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has said.

Most of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people have been displaced since the fighting began.

The war began when Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages.

Israelsays it takes great care to avoid civilian casualties as it seeks to destroy Hamas following its October attack.

For context:Some Israeli officials have sought to cast doubt on fatality figures given out by the Palestinian Health Authority in Gaza, but a number of independent groups say they have proved to be largely reliable and broadly in line with those later produced by the UN and Israel itself.

Examination of data from previous conflicts in Gaza - the Hamas-run health ministry's counts compared with the post-war United Nations analysis - shows the initial data is largely accurate with, at most, a 10-12% discrepancy.

Three missiles have been fired at a merchant ship off the Yemeni coast, British security firm Ambrey has said.

The vessel issued a distress call after the cargo hold was damaged and it began taking on water.

The boat is tilting to one side 54 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, Ambrey said.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have launched repeateddrone and missile strikes in the Red Sea region since November,later expanding to the Indian Ocean in what they say issolidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Spain has moved to formally recognise a Palestinian state based on the borders set in 1967.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the cabinet will do so at its morning meeting today.

Ireland and Norway are expected to follow suit later today.

"This is a historic decision that has a single goal and that is to help Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace," Mr Sanchez said.

While more than 140 countries have recognized a Palestinian state, none of the major Western powers are among them.

Norway handed diplomatic papers to the Palestinian government over the weekend ahead of its formal recognition.

In his speech, Mr Sanchez said it was "a decision that we do not adopt against anyone, least of all against Israel, a friendly people whom we respect, whom we appreciate and with whom we want to have the best possible relationship".

He continued: "We will not recognise changes in the 1967 border lines other than those agreed to by the parties.

"This decision reflects our absolute rejection of Hamas, a terrorist organisation who is against the two-state solution."

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has renewed calls for a pause in fighting following an Israeli strike than killed at least 45 people in Rafah.

Lord Cameron said the scenes from the southern city were "deeply distressing".

"The IDF's investigation must be swift, comprehensive and transparent.

"We urgently need a deal to get hostages out and aid in, with a pause in fighting to allow work towards a long-term sustainable ceasefire."