Live: At least 75 killed in Israeli strikes on second day of Eid al-Adha

Beijing has issued a sharp rebuke of Israel after its soldiers opened fire near a group of foreign diplomats during a visit to the occupied West Bank.

“China firmly opposes any acts endangering the safety of diplomatic personnel,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning during a regular press briefing in the capital.

The shots were fired as international envoys, including European and Arab officials, toured the Jenin refugee camp - an area that has witnessed repeated Israeli raids. As the delegation briefly deviated from a pre-approved route, Israeli troops opened fire near them.

“We demand the launch of a full investigation so that similar incidents do not happen again,” Mao added.

Gaza’s health ministry has released a detailed breakdown of child fatalities in what it describes as an ongoing genocide in Gaza.

• The latest figures confirm 16,503 children have been killed since the conflict began.

• Age group breakdown of those killed: Infants (under 1 year): 916 killed; Children (1–5 years): 4,365 killed; Children (6–12 years): 6,101 killed; Adolescents (13–17 years): 5,124 killed.

• The ministry states these numbers "do not merely represent innocent lives lost" but reveal a "humanitarian catastrophe" and the "targeting of an entire generation".

• It urges global action, calling on the international community, human rights groups, and aid agencies to "stop the aggression immediately" and hold the Israeli occupation leaders accountable for crimes against civilians

The Palestinian Health Ministry has confirmed that at least 16,503 children have been killed by Israeli attacks since the Israeli war on Gaza began on 7 October 2023.

Among them were 916 infants under the age of one.

At least 13 Palestinians have been confirmed dead after an Israeli air raid flattened two homes in the Zarqa neighbourhood of Jabalia al-Balad, in northern Gaza, Al Jazeera Arabic.

Rescue teams are still digging through the debris, with fears that more victims remain buried beneath the rubble.

Medical sources in Gaza have told Al Jazeera that Israeli forces have killed at least 38 Palestinians since early morning in multiple air raids across the besieged enclave.

The bombardment has hit several areas in both central and northern Gaza, adding to the already staggering death toll.

Israeli forces killed at least 23 Palestinians in separate attacks across the besieged enclave since the early hours of today, medical staff in Gaza have confirmed to Al Jazeera Arabic.

A Palestinian activist in the occupied West Bank says Israeli settlers have launched a violent raid on the village of Aqraba, southeast of Nablus, destroying property and attempting to set fire to a mosque while it was still occupied by worshippers.

Ihab Hassan said settlers torched a Palestinian-owned vehicle and “attempted to burn a mosque with worshippers still inside” in what he condemned as an “apparent attempt to burn them alive”.

No aid has reached Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip as of Wednesday, despite Israeli claims that dozens of trucks have entered.

Since 2 March, Israel has enforced a total blockade on Gaza, preventing any food, medical supplies, or goods from entering the besieged enclave.

On Sunday, Israel stated it would allow a “basic amount of food” into Gaza for what it described as “diplomatic reasons” aimed at easing international pressure that could force an end to the ongoing war.

The Israeli military claimed that over 90 aid lorries have entered the strip this week.

However, sources inside Gaza told Middle East Eye trucks remain stalled on the Palestinian side of the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing.

Read more: No aid has reached Palestinians in Gaza yet, despite Israeli claim of delivery

Washington DC’s police chief Pamela Smith has revealed that the suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez, chanted “free Palestine, free Palestine” while in custody following the deadly shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum.

The remarks were made during a press conference held earlier in the US capital.

Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack, which left two Israeli embassy staff dead.

Two members of staff from the Israeli embassy — a man and a woman — have been shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in downtown Washington, DC.

The attack took place around 21:05 local time as the pair were leaving an event at the venue.

Police have detained a suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, Illinois. No motive has yet been disclosed, and authorities say investigations are ongoing.

The victims’ names have not been released to the public. 

At least 14 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air raids targeting Gaza City and central areas of the besieged enclave since dawn, according to medical sources who spoke to Al Jazeera Arabic.

 A wave of diplomatic backlash is mounting after Israeli forces opened fire near a delegation of European and Arab diplomats in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin.

France, Spain, the UK, and Canada have all summoned their Israeli ambassadors to demand answers following the incident, which targeted foreign representatives visiting the area.

Uruguay has now joined them. Its foreign ministry said it summoned Israeli ambassador Michal Hershkovitz and called for an explanation after a Uruguayan official was among those reportedly shot at.

The shooting has drawn sharp condemnation, with many accusing Israel of showing disregard for diplomatic norms and escalating an already volatile situation in the occupied territory.

Good morning, Middle East Eye readers,

Here are the latest updates on Israel’s war on Gaza, now in its 593rd day, and its assault on the occupied West Bank: 

• Israeli forces press Gaza offensive, killing at least 87 Palestinians in relentless attacks, with no pause in bombardment.

• UN reports 90 aid trucks entered Gaza as Israel partially eases its blockade, but supplies remain critically low. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said: “Around 90 truckloads of goods have been dispatched… nowhere near enough to meet the needs.”

• Aid bottlenecks persist at the Karam Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, with Israel restricting deliveries.

• Netanyahu vows post-war control of Gaza, offering only a “temporary” ceasefire for hostage releases.

• France, Spain, UK summon Israeli envoys after troops fired near diplomats in Jenin, occupied West Bank.

• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa: Trump ignored ICJ genocide case during White House talks, despite pressure to address Israel’s actions.