Morning recap

Good morning Middle East Eye readers,

Here are the latest updates from Israel's war on Gaza, now in its 697th day:

• Gaza’s Al-Shifa Medical Complex reports that an Israeli strike on a residential apartment west of Gaza City on Wednesday killed at least five Palestinians and injured several others since dawn on Wednesday.

• Palestinian health officials state that Israeli attacks across Gaza killed 105 people on Tuesday. They also confirm at least 13 people died from starvation in the last 24 hours, raising the total famine-related death toll to 361 since the war began.

• Israel army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir told newly called-up reservists that the military "has begun its maneuver in Gaza City." He added, "We are going to intensify and deepen our operation."

• Yemen's Houthi group claim they attacked a ship in the northern Red Sea on Tuesday with two drones and a missile. They stated they targeted the vessel over its connection to Israel.

• A Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that negotiators have received no Israeli response to the latest proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and captive release deal.

• Belgium will formally recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly this month, Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot announced on Tuesday. The move aligns Belgium with other Western governments now backing Palestinian sovereignty.