Ceasefire talks continue in Qatar • Thousands of people demonstrated in Israel against Netanyahu

At least 23 people were killed in an Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. More than 50 people were injured, including the famous comedian Mahmoud Zuaiter. This was announced by the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health. The comedian's house is located in the city of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, in the area where Israeli bombs fell.

Zuaiter is very popular in Gaza, where he is called the “Minister of Joy.” He is known for his hidden camera recordings, impersonations, and dark humor. He has more than 1.2 million followers on social media. His videos have been viewed millions of times on YouTube.

In a video clip that spread on social media on Friday evening, it can be seen how the comedian is sitting with an injured girl on his knees. He looks visibly upset, says a few words and then bursts into tears. I have always been against the idea of ​​leaving Gaza. I prayed to God not to force me to leave (…) because I love Gaza and its people very much. “But it seems they want us all to leave Gaza,” he says before starting to cry.

Mahmoud Zuaiter belongs to a group of comedians from Gaza who prepared scripts, sketches and clips for Palestinian television. They brought a dose of black humor to a region that was suffering under the Israeli and Egyptian blockade. It was a mixture of social criticism, satire and sensationalism, tolerated by the Islamist Hamas movement that holds power in Gaza, and popular on social media. (Belgian)