News, fighting in Gaza, deaths and more

A man walks in front of the building of the United Nations Middle East Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Middle East in Gaza City in January 2023. (Photo: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images).

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) warns that it will likely be forced to halt its work across the Middle East at the end of February.

About 20 countries have suspended $440 million in funding for the organization over allegations that some of its employees were involved in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.

“If funding remains suspended, we will likely have to close our operations at the end of February, not only in Gaza, but throughout the region,” the agency’s Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, announced on Thursday.

These are the latest headlines:

Hostage agreement: The US Under Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs announced Thursday that she is not aware of “any final response” from Hamas to a proposal developed over the weekend that would consider the release of hostages held by the movement and a permanent cessation of military operations. Fighting in Gaza.

Destroyed Gaza neighborhood: A Palestinian journalist documented what remained of a neighborhood in northern Gaza after the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area. In the video you can see how the area was destroyed and no building was left standing.

Biden speaks: US President Joe Biden said Thursday that he understands the “pain and emotion” felt by “Americans and around the world” for the citizens of Gaza and Israel in response to the “shock and devastation in Israel and the episode.” Speaking during the National Prayer Breakfast on Capitol Hill, Biden said he is busy bringing home hostages held by Hamas “day and night,” and is also working to “alleviate the humanitarian crisis and bring peace to Gaza and Israel, as well as a lasting solution to the crisis.” Peace with two states for two peoples.”

Palestinian state: The United States affirmed its support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Matt Miller, a State Department spokesman, said there had been “no change in policy,” although the Axios report suggested otherwise.

Israeli settlers: Biden plans to issue an executive order against violent settlers in the West Bank who he said are undermining stability in the region, according to a US official. In recent months, Biden personally discussed this issue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Shooting down a Houthi drone: US forces shot down a drone over the Gulf of Aden and destroyed a Houthi maritime drone in the Red Sea on Thursday, according to a US defense official and confirmed by US Central Command. The official said that the USV poses a threat to commercial ships and US Navy vessels operating in the region.

Iran's agents: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Thursday it was time to “remove more capabilities” from Iranian-backed groups following the deadly drone attack on a US base in Jordan in which three soldiers were killed last weekend.

Hope Hospital: The Israeli occupation forces evacuated Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. He added that the occupation forces entered its nearby headquarters for the third time. Fighting has intensified in southern Gaza in recent weeks, putting enormous pressure on the Strip's scarce resources. The hospital currently houses 100 patients, 7,000 displaced people, and 100 doctors and employees.

The number of bodies: According to the Hamas-led Ministry of Health, 27,019 people have been killed and 66,139 wounded since the start of Israeli military operations on October 7, including 118 in the past 24 hours. CNN cannot confirm these numbers, and the ministry did not reveal the number of victims who may have been Hamas fighters.

Return of detainees: At dawn on Thursday, Israel released 114 Palestinian prisoners from its prisons, and they entered the Gaza Strip, according to what the Gaza Crossings Authority announced. Army spokesman Hisham Adwan said that 114 detainees, including four women, were released through the Kerem Shalom border crossing.

Peace Committee: Colombian President Gustavo Petro proposed creating a peace committee to end the conflict. The proposal comes after Netanyahu wrote to him in January asking for help in releasing Israeli hostages by using “any leverage” he has with Iran, Turkey and Qatar to pressure Hamas. Netanyahu's office did not comment on the letter.