GAZA CITY: The Gaza Strip remains engulfed in a devastating humanitarian crisis as Israeli airstrikes continue, with over 4,385 innocent Palestinian civilians, including 1,756 children and 967 women, have been martyred. The bodies of at least 43 unidentified Palestinians, victims of Israeli attacks, have been laid to rest in a mass grave, as reported by the government media office in Gaza.
Amid the ongoing Israeli onslaught, 20 aid trucks have entered Gaza through the Rafah border crossing, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. Humanitarian organizations have welcomed the arrival of aid, although they emphasize that this initial assistance, focused on medicine and food supplies, is but a small portion of what is urgently needed. The convoy did not include fuel, a crucial necessity in the war-torn region.
A Peace Summit in Cairo aims to de-escalate the Israel-Hamas conflict is underway. Numerous leaders at the summit have called for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid to mitigate the sufferings of the Palestinian people.
Israeli Army Intensify Attacks in Gaza
The Israeli army has also intensified attacks in northern Gaza, near the Lebanese border, exacerbating the peril faced by the already vulnerable population. Israel issued a stark warning, stating that those remaining in Gaza City would face dire consequences.
UNICEF, the UN’s children agency, managed to deliver 44,000 bottles of drinking water through the Rafah crossing, sufficient for just 22,000 people in one day. With Gaza’s population totaling around 2.3 million, UNICEF’s Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the urgency of the situation. “Every minute counts,” Russell stated, highlighting the critical need for water, food, fuel, medicine, and essential goods and services.
Furthermore, a new investigation into the al-Ahli Arab Hospital blast has raised doubts about Israel’s account of the incident. Channel 4 News, along with a consortium of NGOs, conducted an audio analysis that contradicted the Israeli army’s narrative. The investigation revealed inconsistencies, casting uncertainty on the Israeli version of events.
Hamas condemned Israel’s disregard for international values and conventions, especially in light of the ongoing Cairo summit.
