Israel returns 15 bodies to Gaza as the Israeli military accepts Gaza death toll of 71,667

Fifteen Palestinians arrived at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza on Thursday after Israeli authorities transferred their bodies through the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Israeli military has reportedly accepted the Gaza Health Ministry’s casualty figures, acknowledging that more than 71,667 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023, with thousands more still missing and believed buried beneath the rubble.

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has urged Palestinian members of Gaza’s transitional governing body to refrain from political engagement, as the United Nations described the situation in Gaza as a potential “turning point” despite continued Israeli attacks. Hamas accused Israel of delaying the recovery of the remains of the final Israeli captive, despite prior notification of their location.

Meanwhile, Gaza City is facing the imminent collapse of its water system, according to municipal officials. Five Palestinian detainees were also released into Gaza after months of Israeli detention.

In Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended a U.S. operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, characterizing it as a “law enforcement” action and outlining plans to exert control over Venezuela’s domestic spending. Rubio also said the United States is reinforcing its military posture in the Middle East as President Donald Trump considers potential action against Iran.

In the United States, a Minnesota judge rebuked ICE for what was described as widespread defiance of court orders. Officials in Springfield are preparing for a surge in ICE activity as temporary protected status for Haitian migrants nears expiration. House Democrats have been advised against traveling to Minnesota amid tensions, while ICE announced a shift to “targeted” arrests following deadly clashes.

In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani voiced support for dismantling the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group counterterrorism unit after it carried out arrests linked to anti-ICE protests.

Elsewhere, Sudan’s army said it recaptured Al-Sillik during cross-border fighting in Blue Nile state, as the UN warned of a deepening humanitarian crisis in Dilling, where displacement is surging. A drone strike by the Rapid Support Forces reportedly killed civilians as siege conditions resumed. A separate report traced RSF rifles to a covert UAE-backed arms pipeline running through Yemen and Somalia.

In other developments:

• Turkey arrested six people on suspicion of spying for Iran.
• A search is underway for a missing plane in northeastern Colombia.
• Ecuadorian authorities raided the homes of leftist politicians in an investigation into alleged Venezuelan campaign financing.
• Gunfire and explosions were reported near Niamey airport in Niger.
• Police fired tear gas at residents of Makoko, Lagos, protesting demolitions.
• Several police officers were killed in an ambush amid escalating attacks in northwest Nigeria.
• China executed 11 members of Myanmar-based telecom fraud networks.
• France grounded a suspected Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker in Marseille.

Source: Drop Site Daily