CAIRO, July 20 (Reuters) - At least 67 people were killed by Israeli fire while they waited for U.N. aid trucks in northern Gaza on Sunday, the territory's health ministry said, as Israel issued new evacuation orders for areas packed with displaced Gazans, some of whom began to leave.

An explosion was seen in the northern Gaza Strip from southern Israel early Sunday. The reason of the explosion shortly after midnight GMT was not known.

"Strengthening air defense capabilities is clearly an urgent priority for Iran at the moment," expert Hongda Fan told Newsweek.

Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics said on Sunday it was considering moving up publication of its monthly consumer price index (CPI) to before financial markets open partly in a bid to boost trading activity.

Syria and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire, US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said on Friday. The deal was “embraced” by Turkey, Jordan and other neighboring countries, the ambassador, who also serves as the US special envoy to Syria, said in a post on X.

Humanitarian officials see a pattern of Israel retaliating against those who criticize its conduct in Gaza and toward Palestinians.

The impact of the 12-day war between Israel and Iran was still visible in Tehran on Saturday. Several buildings in the capital suffered damage as Israeli strikes targeted sites across the city.

A group of musicians from the United Kingdom and Ireland say they have formed a syndicate to advocate for artists speaking out against Israel’s war in Gaza and the role of foreign governments in funding it.

Several smaller countries are taking a stand against Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza. Critics are skeptical about their impact, but others see the pressure as a first step in a global shift.