Israeli strike on a school in Gaza kills at least 27, Palestinian health officials say

DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza’s Health Ministry says an Israeli airstrike has killed at least 27 Palestinians sheltering at a school in northern Gaza and wounded 70 more. Health Ministry spokesman Zaher al-Wahidi said the bodies of 14 children and five women were recovered from the school in the Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City. He said the death toll from Thursday’s strike could still rise because some of the wounded had critical injuries. The Israeli military said it struck a “Hamas command and control center” in the Gaza City area, and said it took steps to lessen harm to civilians. Israeli forces have been expanding their strikes and evacuation orders across the war-torn territory in recent days.

Hungary announces plan to quit International Criminal Court

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary said it will withdraw from the International Criminal Court, which Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said was a “political” organization. The announcement on Thursday came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu started a visit to Hungary despite a warrant for his arrest. Orbán gave the Israeli leader a welcome with full military honors in the capital Budapest. Netanyahu’s visit highlights his close ties with Orbán who had vowed to ignore the ICC warrant. Orbán has accused the ICC of political interference and said on Thursday that he believes it has become a “political court.” The court issued the warrant against Netanyahu in November and has insisted that Hungary must comply. Rights groups have condemned the visit.

Indian parliament’s Lower House passes controversial bill

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Indian parliament’s Lower House has passed a controversial bill moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government to amend laws governing Muslim land endowments. The bill would add non-Muslims to boards that manage waqf land endowments and give the government a larger role in validating their land holdings. The government says the changes will help to fight corruption and mismanagement while promoting diversity, but critics fear it could be used to confiscate mosques and other property. Modi’s party lacks a majority in the house, but allies gave enough support for the bill to pass early Thursday. It will now need to clear the Upper House and get the president’s assent to become law.

Rubio tries to reassure wary allies of US commitment to NATO

BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Trump administration’s new envoy to NATO are seeking to reassure wary NATO members of the U.S. commitment to the alliance. Rubio decried “hysteria and hyperbole” in the media about U.S. President Donald Trump’s intentions despite persistent signals from Washington that NATO as it has existed for 75 years may no longer be relevant. Rubio and new NATO envoy Matthew Whitaker are in Brussels for a meeting of alliance foreign ministers at which many are hoping Rubio will shed light on U.S. security plans in Europe.