The situation in Gaza remains dire, with reports of violence and casualties at aid distribution centers. Israeli forces have shot and wounded at least 20 people seeking aid, with some fatalities reported. The UN’s child rights agency, UNICEF, has stated that more than 50,000 Palestinian children have been reported killed or wounded in Gaza since Israel’s war began in October 2023, with one child casualty every 20 minutes.
Humanitarian Concerns and International Response
The UN humanitarian agency OCHA has reiterated that the starvation crisis in Gaza has reached unprecedented levels, with levels of despair, hunger, and human dignity deterioration. Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for OCHA, emphasized that much more aid needs to enter Gaza to address these concerns. Meanwhile, Finland and Spain have condemned Israel’s approval of new settlements in the occupied West Bank, citing violations of international law.
Casualties and Displacement
The Health Ministry in Gaza reports that at least 54,321 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s war on the enclave since October 2023, with another 123,770 wounded. New forced displacement orders have been issued for residents of northern Gaza, with families forced to wait until sunrise to begin escaping the intensifying ground operation.
International Community’s Stance
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that France may toughen its stance on Israel if it continues to block humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has pushed back against Macron’s warning, vowing to build a “Jewish Israeli state” in the occupied West Bank.
Aid Distribution and Blockade
The Israeli army has blocked aid trucks attempting to cross into Gaza, while Israeli settlers have also blocked aid trucks en route to Gaza. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that Gaza is the “hungriest place on Earth,” with almost no ready-to-eat food entering the region.
