GAZA: Israeli forces continued heavy bombardment in Gaza on Sunday and vowed to push on with its ground offensive in Rafah city despite US objections and truce talks. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said “horror and starvation stalk the people of Gaza” and urged an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages held since October 7.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in another 84 Palestinian casualties within the past 24 hours, according to Gaza’s health ministry, bringing the total death toll to a staggering 32,226 since the start of the nearly six-month-old war. Combat zones, including Gaza City and the southern urban center of Khan Younis, have borne the brunt of Israel’s airstrikes and artillery attacks.
In Gaza’s far-southern Rafah city, local resident Hassan Zanoun lamented the destruction caused by an Israeli airstrike on his building, recounting the harrowing experience of surviving the onslaught along with his family. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached dire proportions, with widespread malnutrition and hunger exacerbating the plight of its 2.4 million inhabitants.
Secretary-General Guterres, who visited the Egyptian border with Gaza on Saturday, condemned the ongoing violence and emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire. He decried the “horror and starvation” endured by Gaza’s population, calling for immediate humanitarian action to alleviate their suffering.
Gaza Ceasefire Efforts
Meanwhile, negotiations in Doha between US intelligence chief Bill Burns, his Israeli counterpart David Barnea, and Palestinian representatives have focused on securing a temporary truce and arranging a hostage exchange. However, significant divergences in positions have complicated efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement.
Despite mounting international pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has affirmed his government’s resolve to press on with military operations in Gaza. However, Washington has expressed concerns over the potential for further civilian casualties and the exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis.
As the conflict rages on, the toll on civilians continues to mount, with casualties reported in aid distribution points and hospitals. The UN humanitarian office has raised alarms over the targeting of healthcare facilities and the detention of medical personnel by Israeli forces, exacerbating the challenges faced by Gaza’s already strained healthcare system.
With the situation in Gaza deteriorating rapidly, urgent diplomatic efforts are underway to secure a ceasefire and address the underlying grievances fueling the conflict.
