GAZA: More than 40,000 Muslims performed Eid al-Adha prayers at Al-Aqsa Masjid, Al Jazeera reported. According to Wafa news agency, Israeli forces assaulted worshippers both on their way to masjid and as they were leaving, as tensions in occupied West Bank remain high due to conflict in Gaza.

But Sunday's numbers pale in comparison to 2023's estimate of 100,000 worshippers who managed to pray despite Israeli security forces' aggression.

Meanwhile, Unicef spokesperson James Elder spoke of impact of heat and bombardments in Gaza on displaced Palestinian children. "Children are under attack in so many areas," spokesperson said in video posted to his account on X.

"It's so critical, those people who have power who are looking at that ceasefire, feel this heat, feel this suffering, bring that into their decision-making. Because all of this surely must lead to ceasefire."

Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced Sunday that it would implement a daily "tactical pause of military activity" in part of the southern Gaza Strip during daylight hours to facilitate the delivery of aid.

The army said in a statement that "a local, tactical pause of military activity for humanitarian purposes will take place from 08:00 until 19:00 every day until further notice along the road that leads from the Kerem Shalom Crossing to the Salah al-Din Road and then northwards".

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 17 2024

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