Palestinian Red Crescent reports that Israeli drones bombed a hospital in southern Gaza.

• Joe Biden spoke with Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, White House says
• A letter signed by dozens of Democrats urges the Biden administration to stand against the "compulsory and perpetual removal" of Palestinians from Gaza.
• Gaza-based militants say a captive Israeli soldier was killed in an Israeli air strike

On Friday, the Palestinian Red Crescent accused Israel of attacking a hospital in Khan Younis, which is a major advance in the main city in the southern Gaza Strip and poses a threat to the few healthcare facilities still open.

The Red Crescent reported that displaced individuals were harmed as a result of Israeli drone fire targeting civilians at Al-Amal Hospital and their own base, while the military is investigating the matter.

In the same city, Israeli tanks were moving towards Gaza's largest functioning hospital, Nasser, and residents reported hearing shellfire from the west and intense gun battles to the south.

This week, Israel announced a significant advance in Khan Younis to seize the city, claiming it is the main stronghold of Hamas militants who launched attacks on Israeli towns on October 7, triggering a war that has left the Gaza Strip in ruins.

In the past 24 hours, 142 Palestinians were killed and 278 were injured in Gaza, increasing the death toll from the ongoing conflict to 24,762.

The World Health Organization reports that out of the 36 hospitals in the enclave, only 15 are partially functioning, working at up to three times their capacity, with inadequate fuel and medical supplies.

Hamas fighters are accused by Israeli officials of operating from hospitals, including Nasser, but hospital staff deny these claims.

Approximately 75% of Gaza's population, or more than 1.7 million people, are displaced and living in tents that offer little protection from the elements and disease, according to UNRWA figures.

Mohammed al-Ghandour desired to give his bride a stunning wedding, but they were forced to leave their homes in Gaza City. As a result, the couple got married this week in a tent city in Rafah, near the Egyptian border, where they currently reside.

Ghandour stated that although his happiness is currently at 3%, he will prepare himself to make his wife happy.

Netanyahu rejects statehood

Israeli President Isaac Herzog viewed the offensive on Gaza civilians as a step towards more peaceful relations with the Palestinians and enhancing global security, while acknowledging the human tragedy it caused, during his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

In Gaza City, 12 people were killed in Israeli strikes on a residential building near the Al Shifa Hospital, according to Palestinian health officials.

Five Palestinians were killed in a house in Al-Nusseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip following an Israeli strike, according to health officials.

Despite efforts by Washington, its ally has not eased the suffering of the civilian population, who have been without regular aid and proper medical care since October.

Israel intends to continue fighting until Hamas is completely eliminated, a goal that Palestinians consider unattainable due to the organization's intricate structure and long-standing presence in the Gaza Strip.

On Friday, diplomats were discussing the aftermath of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that he would not support an independent Palestinian state, which goes against a key element of U.S. policy in the Middle East.

Netanyahu stated in a Tel Aviv briefing on Thursday that Israel must have security control over the entire territory west of the Jordan River, despite it conflicting with the principle of sovereignty. He added, "What can you do?"

On Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden had a call with Netanyahu, but the White House did not reveal any details about the conversation. Later, White House spokesperson John Kirby stated that Biden still supports a two-state solution.

Kirby acknowledged that it would require a significant amount of effort and leadership in the region.

Some members of Biden's own Democratic party are concerned about the toll on Palestinian civilians due to his strong support for Israel.

On Friday, a letter signed by dozens of Biden's fellow Democrats was released, urging the administration to reaffirm its opposition to the forced and permanent displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.

Hostage killed

The Israeli attacks on Gaza were prompted by Hamas's attacks, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 253, with about half of the hostages still remaining in Gaza, according to Israeli estimates.

On Friday, approximately 200 women participated in a protest in Tel Aviv to demand the release of hostages. One of the protesters was pulled along in a cage while they chanted "Their time is running out, bring them back."

Gadi Eizenkot, an Israeli cabinet minister and former military chief, stated that a deal was necessary for the safe release of the hostages.

On Friday, the Al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades, a militant group linked to Hamas in Gaza, announced that an Israeli soldier they were holding captive had been killed in an Israeli airstrike, as shown in a video they released to the media.

The video depicted the injured hostage receiving medical treatment before he pleaded in Hebrew for Israeli officials to negotiate a deal with Gaza organizations to free them. No Israeli military spokesperson has yet responded.

On Friday, the Russian foreign ministry stated that it had received a delegation from Hamas and urged them to release the hostages, including three Russian nationals. Hamas, in response, highlighted the significance of achieving a ceasefire.