The arrival of the Moroccan personnel was confirmed on Tuesday by the Board of Peace established under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. A source familiar with the deployment said the officers reached the ISF headquarters in southern Israel on June 18 and would assist in developing the force’s organizational structure while providing expertise in policing and security operations.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that four Moroccan officers were part of the contingent but did not disclose whether additional personnel had also been deployed.

Morocco announced in February that it would contribute police and military personnel to the planned force, becoming the first Arab state to publicly commit troops to the initiative.

The deployment forms part of the second phase of a Gaza framework announced by Washington in January and later endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. The plan aims to transition the Gaza Strip from active conflict toward a longer-term security and governance arrangement following the war triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

Under the framework, Israel would gradually withdraw forces from parts of Gaza, Hamas would be disarmed, and an international stabilization mission would be deployed to support security and reconstruction efforts.

Despite diplomatic backing, implementation has progressed slowly. While the ceasefire that entered into force in October has largely prevented a return to full-scale warfare, negotiations over a permanent settlement remain stalled.

The proposed stabilization force has been discussed repeatedly by international mediators but has yet to become operational inside Gaza.

Hamas stated in February that it could accept the presence of an international force provided it did not interfere in the territory’s internal affairs. The group has governed Gaza since seizing control of the enclave in 2007.

Israeli officials say their forces currently maintain control over approximately 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, up from slightly more than half immediately after the initial troop redeployments conducted under the ceasefire arrangements.

The truce has remained fragile, with both Israel and Hamas regularly accusing each other of violations while international mediators continue efforts to secure a broader political agreement.

According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect. The United Nations has previously cited the ministry’s casualty data as generally reliable for monitoring conflict-related fatalities.

The Israeli military has reported the deaths of five soldiers during the same period.

The arrival of Moroccan personnel represents a tangible step toward establishing the multinational security mission envisioned under the ceasefire framework, even as political and security obstacles continue to delay its full deployment inside Gaza.

The surfers, among the few remaining practitioners of the sport in the Gaza Strip, gather on Gaza City’s coastline where the sounds of crashing waves contrast sharply with the devastation left by years of conflict.

“This sport is indescribable. When you catch a wave, ride it, glide along it, that feeling can’t be put into words,” said 23-year-old Taheen Abu Assi, who learned surfing from his father and grandfather.

Abu Assi said the conflict had not diminished his commitment to the sport, describing surfing as a rare source of relief amid uncertainty.

“We learned little by little, and even with the war, the shelling, and the destruction, we’re still continuing with this sport, because it lets us breathe and makes us feel safe,” he said.

Although a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in October after two years of war, violence continues to affect daily life in the coastal enclave. Both sides have accused each other of repeated violations of the truce.

The dangers extend beyond land. In recent months, local medical officials and security sources have reported incidents involving fishermen injured by Israeli fire near Gaza’s coastline.

“The situation is still unstable,” Abu Assi said. “At any moment, shells or explosives could land near you.”

Despite the risks, the surfers paddle into the Mediterranean, temporarily escaping the pressures of life in a territory where large areas have been devastated by conflict and hundreds of thousands remain displaced.

The sport faces additional challenges due to shortages of specialized equipment caused by wartime disruptions and continuing restrictions on imports.

“One of the biggest challenges and difficulties we face as surfers in the Gaza Strip is the lack of tools and equipment specific to this sport,” said 19-year-old Abdel Rahim Al-Ustadh.

According to Al-Ustadh, surf wax is unavailable in Gaza, forcing surfers to improvise with candle wax to maintain grip on their boards.

Many rely on aging equipment that has survived years of use. Holding a worn surfboard estimated to be nearly 20 years old, Al-Ustadh said preserving existing boards was critical because replacing them was virtually impossible.

“As surfers, we treat these boards like great treasures to us, because losing any board or having it confiscated threatens our ability to continue in this sport,” he said.

The conflict has dramatically reduced Gaza’s surfing community. Khalil Abu Jiyab, 18, said a team of 17 surfers existed before the war, but only three remain active today due to equipment shortages and the loss of boards.

“I’ve been surfing for 13 years now, and my hopes have almost been shattered,” Abu Jiyab said, while expressing a desire to one day compete outside Gaza.

For many of Gaza’s remaining surfers, the sea continues to offer a rare sense of freedom in an environment shaped by conflict and uncertainty.

“There’s nothing in Gaza you can really look forward to except the sea,” Abu Jiyab said. “The only outlet in Gaza is the sea; without it, life would have vanished long ago.”

In a statement posted on social media platform X, the military said Hussein Qadra and Mohammed Farra, members of the military wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad respectively, were “eliminated” in an operation. The military did not provide details on the timing or location of the strike.

According to the Israeli military, Qadra and Farra jointly managed a financial network that operated under Hamas leadership and facilitated the transfer of more than 500 million shekels to the Palestinian militant group.

The military alleged that the network played a significant role in sustaining Hamas operations by channeling funds used to support the organization’s military activities. It did not provide additional evidence to support the claim.

No immediate comment was available from Hamas or Islamic Jihad regarding the Israeli statement.

The announcement comes as fighting and military operations continue across Gaza despite ongoing international efforts to secure a lasting end to the conflict. Israeli authorities have repeatedly identified financial networks as a key component of Hamas’s operational infrastructure and have intensified efforts to disrupt funding channels during the war.

Israel has previously targeted individuals it says are involved in financing militant organizations, arguing that financial operatives play a critical role in sustaining armed groups’ capabilities alongside commanders and combat personnel.

The Israeli military did not disclose whether additional individuals were targeted in the operation or provide further details about the structure and scope of the alleged funding network.

An overnight airstrike hit an apartment building in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, killing four members of the Al-Safadi family, including a husband, wife and their two daughters, Gaza’s civil defense agency said. The agency, which operates under Hamas authority, said the attack also wounded 12 other people.

Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City confirmed receiving the bodies of four members of the family, including two children.

Relatives said the victims were civilians with no involvement in militant activities. Nael Al-Safadi, a family member, said the strike occurred while the family was asleep inside the building.

Footage from the scene showed extensive damage to the apartment, with sections of the exterior wall destroyed and household belongings scattered among the rubble.

In a separate incident, Al-Shifa Hospital said it received the body of one person killed in an Israeli drone strike near an intersection in northern Gaza City.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on either incident.

The latest deaths come as Israel and Hamas continue to exchange accusations of violating the ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10 last year. Although large-scale fighting has subsided, sporadic strikes and security incidents have continued across the territory, complicating efforts to secure a permanent end to the conflict.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas authority, at least 1,012 Palestinians have been killed in the territory since the ceasefire began. The United Nations has generally regarded the ministry’s casualty figures as reliable, although independent verification remains difficult because of restrictions on media access and movement within Gaza.

The Israeli military has reported five fatalities among its forces during the same period.

The continuing violence highlights the fragility of the truce and the challenges facing diplomatic efforts aimed at transforming the ceasefire into a lasting political settlement.

More than 800 party delegates submitted petitions calling for a special congress to elect a new leader, according to a party source, surpassing the threshold required under CHP bylaws to convene a gathering within 45 days.

The move follows a controversial ruling by an Ankara court in May that annulled the CHP’s 2023 leadership election over allegations of vote-buying and restored Kilicdaroglu to the party leadership.

The decision triggered strong opposition within the CHP and intensified tensions between rival factions of the party. Critics argued that the court ruling interfered with the internal affairs of Turkiye’s largest opposition movement at a time when it has been gaining political momentum.

Ozgur Ozel, who emerged as a prominent critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his tenure as party leader, has repeatedly rejected Kilicdaroglu’s reinstatement and called for a fresh vote, arguing that the party cannot be governed by what he describes as an imposed leadership.

Political analysts expect a fierce internal contest in the coming weeks. While Ozel’s supporters have succeeded in forcing the issue onto the party agenda, observers say Kilicdaroglu is likely to resist efforts to organize a rapid leadership vote and could seek procedural or legal avenues to delay the congress.

The dispute has further deepened divisions within a party already grappling with years of internal debate over strategy, leadership and electoral performance.

The CHP, founded by the republic’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, has recently strengthened its position against Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), particularly after securing significant victories in the 2024 local elections.

Opposition figures have accused authorities of pursuing politically motivated actions against the CHP in an effort to weaken its growing electoral appeal. Those accusations intensified following the court decision and subsequent police operations at party headquarters.

Kilicdaroglu led the CHP for more than a decade before being voted out at the party congress in 2023. His departure followed a closely contested presidential election in which he lost to Erdogan, prompting widespread calls within the party for leadership renewal.

The outcome of the proposed extraordinary congress is likely to shape the future direction of the CHP and could influence the broader balance of power in Turkish politics as opposition parties seek to challenge Erdogan’s long-standing dominance.

With rival camps now preparing for a potentially decisive confrontation, the CHP faces one of the most consequential internal battles in its recent history.

According to Chinese foreign ministry statements cited in a Reuters report, Wang told Khanal that China places Nepal at the forefront of its “neighbourhood diplomacy” and reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Nepal’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The visit comes as China and India continue to compete for strategic influence in Nepal, a country of around 30 million people situated between Asia’s two largest economies, both of which have longstanding political and border tensions.

Analysts say Nepal’s shifting political leadership has created uncertainty for Beijing, particularly as infrastructure projects linked to China’s Belt and Road Initiative have faced delays and financing disagreements in recent years.

During the talks, Wang reiterated China’s willingness to expand cooperation with Nepal in infrastructure development, including energy, transport and aviation projects, while emphasising continued engagement under the Belt and Road framework.

The report noted that Nepal has received substantial financial engagement from both China and India, with infrastructure investment and lending forming a key part of their respective regional diplomacy strategies.

China is also seeking to strengthen ties with Nepal at a time when it faces broader geopolitical competition in South Asia, while Nepal’s leadership has signalled an interest in maintaining balanced relations with both Beijing and New Delhi.

The meeting underscores Kathmandu’s effort to navigate competing regional interests while addressing domestic development priorities and political change following its recent election cycle.

Aditya Sharma, a cadet, Shivanand Chaurashiya, a fitter, and Patnala Suresh, a chief engineer, were killed aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello after a US aircraft fired at the tanker’s engine room last week, according to the Forward Seamen’s Union of India.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned the US envoy in New Delhi to register a protest, but the US Department of State said Secretary of State Marco Rubio told India’s foreign minister that commercial vessels must comply with US military orders and that violations of the American blockade around the Strait of Hormuz would not be accepted.

The statement triggered criticism from Indian opposition lawmakers, who said Washington had failed to acknowledge the loss of Indian lives.

Rahul Gandhi, leader of India’s opposition, said there was no expression of regret or apology following the deaths. Congress lawmaker Shashi Tharoor also criticised the US response, calling the absence of condolences over the deaths of Indian sailors deeply concerning.

The Forward Seamen’s Union of India said a fourth sailor, second officer Nishanth Uirthanathan, died from medical complications aboard the MT Celestial off Oman after the vessel was unable to reach medical facilities.

The union said many Indian sailors remained stranded in the region because of restrictions linked to the US blockade. Manoj Yadav, the union’s secretary-general, said some vessels faced shortages of food, drinking water and medical supplies.

The incidents occurred amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran around the Strait of Hormuz, where thousands of Indian nationals work aboard commercial ships.

US Central Command said the vessels involved had failed to comply with instructions from American forces, while the manager of MT Settebello rejected the claim, saying there had been no communication before the strike.

The union said three commercial vessels carrying Indian crew were attacked by US forces during the previous week, increasing concerns over maritime safety in the region.

The ministry said the total number of deaths since the start of the conflict had reached 73,001, according to Zaher Al-Waheidi, head of its records department, and Hamza Salem from its public relations department.
Five Palestinians were killed over the weekend, including two in the southern city of Khan Younis and one in central Gaza, while two others died from earlier injuries, the ministry said.

More than 173,200 people have been wounded since the war began after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and resulted in the capture of 251 hostages.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said an Israeli strike on Saturday evening killed two Palestinians in Khan Younis, with the casualties taken to Nasser Hospital. The Israeli military did not immediately comment.

The Gaza Health Ministry, which operates under the Hamas-led administration, is staffed by medical professionals and keeps detailed casualty records that United Nations agencies and independent experts have generally considered reliable. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its overall figures.

The ministry has said women and children account for around half of those killed.

Israel says it seeks to avoid civilian casualties and accuses Hamas of operating in densely populated areas. The Israeli military says its operations target militants and are conducted in response to security threats and alleged violations of the ceasefire.

The US-brokered ceasefire agreement reached in October halted large-scale military operations and resulted in the release of remaining hostages.
However, implementation of other parts of the agreement has stalled, with disagreements over Hamas disarmament and Israeli troop movements.

Both sides have accused each other of violating the deal while maintaining that it remains in force.
Five Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire began.

The meeting followed a summit in London earlier this week attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the leaders of Britain, France and Germany. During the gathering, the three European countries expressed support for Kyiv’s proposal for direct talks with Moscow aimed at ending more than four years of conflict.

French Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere described the discussions at Russia’s Foreign Ministry as constructive and told reporters that a joint statement would be released later in the day.

Russia, however, characterized the talks differently, saying the ambassadors were informed of what Moscow described as the “destructive” Ukraine policies of their governments. The Russian Foreign Ministry accused Britain, France and Germany of seeking to prolong the conflict at Europe’s expense.

The diplomatic contact comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected a proposal by Zelensky this month for a face-to-face meeting intended to advance peace negotiations.

At the London summit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz endorsed Zelensky’s initiative and said the current battlefield positions should serve as a starting point for future negotiations.

Western European diplomats have had limited direct engagement with Russian authorities since Moscow launched its full-scale offensive against Ukraine. Contacts have largely been confined to formal summonses and diplomatic exchanges through established channels.

The meeting also reflects growing discussion within parts of Europe about whether renewed dialogue with Moscow could help create conditions for ending the conflict, which remains Europe’s largest war since World War Two.

Efforts led by the United States to broker a settlement have so far failed to produce a breakthrough. Diplomatic attention has also been increasingly diverted by the conflict involving Iran, complicating international attempts to advance negotiations on Ukraine.

Russia has generally preferred discussing the war with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and has repeatedly signaled opposition to a larger European role in any future settlement process.

Britain, France and Germany remain among Ukraine’s principal military, financial and diplomatic supporters and have consistently backed Kyiv throughout the conflict.

Abu Safiya, 53, the former director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, appeared before the court through a video connection as judges considered whether to extend his detention. No ruling had been issued by Thursday afternoon, according to Physicians for Human Rights–Israel (PHRI).

The pediatrician became widely known during the war in Gaza for documenting conditions inside Kamal Adwan Hospital during an 85-day Israeli military siege. Through videos released during the conflict, he appealed for international assistance as medical staff struggled to treat patients amid severe shortages and ongoing hostilities.

Images from Wednesday’s hearing showed Abu Safiya wearing white prison clothing and handcuffs. Observers said he appeared visibly thinner and pale, with marks visible on his arms.

PHRI said Abu Safiya was recently transferred to solitary confinement. His son, Elias Abu Safiya, said the move occurred shortly after the doctor challenged his detention through legal channels.

Israeli authorities have not formally charged Abu Safiya with a crime. The Israeli military has said he is being investigated on suspicion of cooperating with or working for Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that governs Gaza. Medical colleagues and international aid organizations that worked with him have rejected those allegations.

Following the hearing, defense lawyer Nasser Odeh conveyed a statement he said came from Abu Safiya, in which the doctor maintained that his work had been solely humanitarian and medical in nature.

Israel’s Justice Ministry did not immediately comment on the case. The Israeli Prison Service rejected allegations of mistreatment, stating that all detainees receive professional medical care and that complaints submitted through official channels are examined.

According to PHRI, 14 physicians from Gaza remain in Israeli detention. Rights organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about the detention of medical personnel during the conflict and have called for greater transparency regarding their legal status and conditions of confinement.

The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 73,000 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, whose figures are widely cited by international organizations though they do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

The Supreme Court’s decision on Abu Safiya’s detention remains pending.