GAZA: Israeli military intensified deadly bombardment in Gaza on Sunday, with no truce in sight on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan and a dire humanitarian crisis gripping the besieged Palestinian territory.
With no truce in sight, a Spanish charity ship laden with 200 tonnes of food aid is set to sail from Cyprus to Gaza, where famine looms and vast swathes of the region lie in ruins after six months of relentless Israeli bombardment.
The health ministry in Gaza reports that over 31,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in ongoing Israeli air and ground attacks since October 7. Additionally, at least 23 children have succumbed to malnutrition and dehydration as Israel has restricted the supply of essential aid to the besieged Palestinian territory.
Gaza Truce Talks
Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and secure the release of approximately 100 hostages held by Hamas have yielded no results, despite weeks of talks involving US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators.
Israel’s government accuses Palestinian resistance group Hamas of obstructing negotiations by demanding the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
US President Joe Biden has reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself but expressed growing impatience with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict, emphasizing the need to prioritize civilian lives.
Meanwhile, inside Gaza, displaced Palestinians face critical shortages of basic necessities, with families lining up for scarce drinking water and struggling to access essential food supplies.
Amidst the ongoing violence, the International Committee of the Red Cross appeals for a ceasefire, emphasizing the urgent need to protect Palestinian civilians and uphold international law in a conflict that has pushed the region to the brink of humanitarian catastrophe.
