The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with sources at local hospitals reporting that 17 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli raids on the Strip since dawn.
This latest surge in violence comes on the heels of a devastating incident on Friday, in which at least 10 Palestinians were killed while waiting for rations. According to the United Nations, this brings the total number of Palestinians killed while attempting to access food in Gaza to nearly 800 over the past six weeks.
In response to these fatalities, Israel’s army has announced that it has issued new instructions to troops. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen. The United Nations has been working to provide aid to those in need, and Israeli officials have signaled that they want the UN to remain the key avenue for humanitarian deliveries in Gaza.
The deputy head of the World Food Programme noted that the work of a controversial US aid group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), was not discussed in recent talks. Meanwhile, the US State Department has confirmed that it is aware of reports that a US citizen was fatally beaten by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a result of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, which has had devastating consequences for civilians. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 57,762 people have been killed and 137,656 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza. The conflict began with the October 7, 2023, attacks, which resulted in an estimated 1,139 deaths in Israel and the capture of over 200 people.
As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, it is clear that urgent action is needed to address the humanitarian crisis and protect civilians. The international community must work together to find a solution to this conflict and ensure that aid reaches those who need it most.