By Lyndal Rowlands and Alastair Mccready

    The UN agency for Palestinian refugees says a ceasefire in Gaza “is a matter of life and death” as the United States reaffirms its opposition to one.
    Israel claims to have killed the commander of Hezbollah’s southern drone unit. Hezbollah acknowledges that four members died in attacks on Tuesday but denies the commander was among them.
    Israeli attacks hit central and southern Gaza, with Palestinians reported killed in al-Zuwayda, al-Maghazi and Deir el-Balah, according to the Wafa news agency.
    At least 23,210 people have been killed and more than 59,100 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The revised death toll in Israel from the October 7 attack stands at 1,139.

    If you’re just joining us

    It’s 7am (05:00 GMT) in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel.

    Here are some of the main developments overnight:

    US military’s Central Command says US and UK jets shot down 18 Houthi aerial drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship ballistic missile over the Red Sea.
   The Maldives, Namibia and Pakistan join the list of countries expressing support for the genocide case filed against Israel by South Africa at the ICJ.
    Israeli bulldozers have been filmed destroying streets and infrastructure in the city of Jenin, as widespread raids continue across the occupied West Bank.
    At least 76,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon by “fighting from the south”, the UN secretary-general’s spokesperson said.
    Two babies were safely delivered at the Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s medical facility in Jabalia, an area of Gaza that has experienced some of the heaviest Israeli bombardments.

    Maldives, Namibia, Pakistan support South Africa’s ICJ case

    The Maldives, Namibia and Pakistan have joined the list of countries expressing support for the genocide case filed against Israel by South Africa at the ICJ.

    The three countries each expressed their support for the case in speeches delivered during a UN General Assembly session on Tuesday.

    Namibia’s Ambassador Neville Gertze told the UN that his country “welcomes and supports” South Africa’s case. “Namibia both identifies and aligns with the arguments put forward by South Africa,” Gertze said.

    Other countries that have already expressed support for the case include Bolivia, Jordan, Malaysia and Turkey.

    The ICJ will hold hearings to consider provisional measures on Thursday and Friday this week.

    Israeli military announces death of another soldier in Gaza

    A 24-year-old major and combat medic has been killed during a battle in central Gaza, the Israeli military has said.

    A second Israeli soldier was seriously injured in the battle.

    Since Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza began, 183 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,065 wounded, according to the UN citing official Israeli sources.

    The latest reported death does not appear to be part of that total.