Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Claims At Least 18 Lives, Including Children

An Israeli airstrike on the southern Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people on Tuesday evening, as reported by Palestinian sources. The Hamas-controlled health ministry stated that among the deceased were five children, who were inside a tent at the time of the attack. Ahmed al-Farra, head of the pediatric department at Nasser Hospital, confirmed that eight deceased children were admitted, including the five who were in the tent.

The airstrike reportedly damaged a vehicle and two houses in the area surrounding Khan Yunis. The Israeli military has not issued a comment regarding the attacks. It remains uncertain whether the children were located in the humanitarian zone designated by Israel in Al-Mawasi when the airstrike occurred. Israel has repeatedly targeted this area, which houses hundreds of thousands of residents enduring severe winter conditions, attributing civilian casualties to Hamas.

In related developments, Germany is reportedly advancing a review of specific EU sanctions against Syria, according to insiders. The Foreign Office indicated that existing sanctions, imposed following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad, need reassessment, particularly regarding their impact on the general population. Discussions are ongoing about potential relief for certain sectors, though it was emphasized that sanctions against individuals accused of committing serious crimes during the civil war must remain in place.

The continuation or alteration of these measures will depend on how the new authorities manage minority populations in Syria. A report from the "Financial Times" suggested that any easing of sanctions by the EU would require unanimous agreement, and the U.S. has recently suspended some sanctions for an initial six months to facilitate humanitarian aid and alleviate energy supply issues.