Middle East Conflict

The return of all the hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that started the war is a key element of the first phase of the ceasefire that began in October.

“The pope’s visit is a sign of hope,” the Rev. Miled Abboud told NBC News. “There are a lot of bleak things, of things that make us despair, but we have Christ, who gives us strength to carry on.”

The total equates to more than 3% of the 2.3 million people living in the enclave, while a further 170,983 people have been wounded.

The Syrian state news agency SANA said Israeli forces entered the village of Beit Jin aiming to seize local men and opened heavy fire after being confronted by residents.

The shooting in Jenin, in the occupied West Bank, comes amid mounting settler violence and ramped-up operations by the IDF in the area.

It wasn't immediately clear whether the remains were those of one of three hostages remaining in the Gaza Strip.

“We’re pleased that we have here a serious contribution towards the health care of children in Gaza,” Caritas Secretary-General Alistair Dutton said in Bethlehem.

The foundation had already closed distribution sites after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect in Gaza six weeks ago.

At least another 50 were wounded in the strikes, as the U.N.-backed plan to stabilize and govern Gaza moves forward.

Israeli forces have killed more than 200 Palestinians in the West Bank so far this year, including 50 children, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Friday.

Peace Now, an anti-settlement watchdog group, said the site is around 450 acres — Israel’s largest seizure of archaeologically important land.