Qusra
- RoutineIL19:04UTC16:04EST12:04
Gaza Police Chief Killed as Qusra Siege Draws UN Condemnation and Iran Reasserts Hormuz Control (Aug 13, 1604 UTC, 1904 Israel) (Evening Edition)
An Israeli airstrike killed Gaza police chief Jamal Abu Kamil in Gaza City, the second strike in a day after a weeklong lull, while the settler siege of Qusra entered a fourth day with the UN human rights office calling it a new low. Iran's military rejected US claims of normal Hormuz transit, asserting no ship can pass without its authorization, as an oil spill from a tanker attacked near Qeshm Island reached Oman's coast.
- RoutineIL09:19UTC06:19EST02:19
Settler Siege in Qusra Draws US Rebuke as IDF Chief Deploys Troops on Leave (Aug 13, 0619 UTC, 0919 Israel) (Morning Edition)
Dozens of Israeli settlers besieged three Palestinian families in the West Bank village of Qusra, cutting off water and power, prompting the IDF chief to deploy troops on leave and drawing sharp US criticism. The White House said Israel must do more to prevent settler violence, while US Ambassador Mike Huckabee said Washington was 'VERY involved' in efforts to end the siege. Separately, Israel struck a Hamas commander in northern Gaza in the first airstrike in over a week, and Defense Minister Israel Katz drew a US rebuke after saying Israel would remain in southern Lebanon.