Israel at war: What happened on day 45?

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday that three prematurely born babies from a bigger group evacuated into Egypt on Monday had been left behind in a hospital in southern Gaza to receive further treatment.

"The 28 babies have now safely arrived in Egypt. Three babies still remain at the Emarati Hospital and continue to receive treatment," a WHO spokesperson said in an emailed response to Reuters.

Asked about the babies' condition, he said: "All babies are fighting serious infections and continue needing health care."

In coordination with the Ministry of Defense, Israeli NGO LeMaanchem has launched a campaign to assist soldiers and civilians injured during Operation Swords of Iron from both north and south Israel.

Col. Dr. Erez Karp, the commander of the Center for Medical Services in the Medical Corps invited leadership from LeMaanchem to tour medical care centers on and near military bases in order to show just what the wounded needed.

The tour was arranged with the intention of building stronger relations between the organization and the IDF, and to show the national dedication to helping those impacted by the war heal both mentally and physically. 

During the tour, which was conducted with the aim of closely monitoring the needs of the wounded, and in order to strengthen the cooperation between the organization and the IDF, the heads of the NGO met with the medical and psychological support teams of the IDF who have been working tirelessly since the beginning of the fighting for the physical and mental health of IDF soldiers.

The organization also distributed "brass" blankets to soldiers in preparation for a winter war.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will host a meeting in Moscow on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Gaza with foreign ministers from members of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the RIA news agency reported on Monday.

Two drones were launched toward Israel after Israeli artillery forces struck several terror targets across the Lebanese border early on Monday morning, the IDF said.

Hezbollah reportedly responded to the fire, with sirens sounded in northern Israel later on Monday, after which a fire broke out along the northern border due to a suspected impact. IDF and firefighting forces were at the scene.

The IDF also struck the source of the rocket fire, it said.

Drones launched amid rocket barrage from Lebanon

Later on Sunday, rocket sirens sounded in Kiryat Shmona and the nearby border towns of Shlomi, Manara, and Margaliot amid a heavy barrage from Lebanon.

At least two drones were also launched toward Israel, one of which was shot down.

At least three interceptions were observed above the nearly fully-evacuated Kiryat Shmona, Israeli media reported.

Rocket sirens sounded in Kiryat Shmona and the nearby border towns of Manara and Margaliot amid a heavy barrage from Lebanon. At least three interceptions were observed above the nearly fully-evacuated Kiryat Shmona, Israeli media reported.

Rachel Goldberg, whose 23-year old son Hersh Polin Goldberg was taken hostage from the Nova music festival on October 7, invoked Cain and Abel as well as the Holocaust in a fiery speech at the Israel rally last Tuesday in Washington, DC, advocating for more activism on behalf of the hostages.

Goldberg, who emigrated from Virginia to Israel with her family when Hersh was eight, has been one of the most vocal family members of hostages to speak out on the international stage on behalf of the hostages' plight. A couple of weeks after the massacre, she was the focus of a 35-minute podcast episode of The New York Times' "The Daily," in which she recounted in detail the events of the day, what they knew about her son's condition, and stories of unity and love among the family members of the kidnapped and dead—who through their shared circumstances have become a community of their own.

Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Monday condemned Israel's "attack" on the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza.

"The attack is a clear violation of international humanitarian laws. All countries, especially those that have close relations with Israel, must use all their influence and capabilities to urge Israel to stop its atrocities," she said in a statement.

Likud MK Nissim Vatouri doubled down on his call to burn down the Gaza Strip, asking in a 103FM interview on Monday, "why should we be ashamed?

"Are there civilians in Gaza?" Vatouri rhetorically asked. "We allowed entry of fuel to the Strip, they murdered children! Why do we need to come to terms with such a thing?"

A first group of prematurely born babies who were evacuated from hospital in the Gaza Strip crossed into Egypt for medical treatment on Monday, according to live footage and Egypt's Al Qahera TV.

More than two dozens babies were expected to cross, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent and Al Qahera TV. The newborns had been in Al Shifa hospital in Gaza, where several other babies died amid a collapse in medical services partly caused by power cuts when fuel ran out.

A United Arab Emirates humanitarian convoy set off from Al Arish on Sunday heading to Rafah. The convoy will be distributed as part of the UAE’s efforts to aid civilians in Gaza. This is called Gallant Knight 3, and it was “launched under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to support the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip,” the UAE’s WAM news agency noted on Sunday. 

This is one of a series of efforts in the works to support Gaza this week. It is important because it comes in the context of wider moves to try to end the conflict. For instance, there are talks in the region and also talks between Arab countries and China, about efforts to end the fighting. Humanitarian aid is likely one of the easiest ways to support Gaza without getting into the complexities of a ceasefire or other issues. 

Arab News reported on Monday that “a 14th plane carrying aid from Saudi Arabia for Gaza on Sunday arrived at El-Arish International Airport in Egypt, the Saudi Press Agency reported.” This report noted that it consisted of two ambulances out of 20 scheduled to be sent from Saudi Arabia. This campaign comes under the auspices of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief.