Gaza City has been engulfed in a fierce bombardment, as confirmed by the area’s Hamas-run civil defense agency. Spokesman Mahmud Bassal reported that residential zones including Zeitoun and Sabra have been targeted for three days straight, leading to significant casualties among civilians while it remains too dangerous for residents to retrieve the dead and injured.
In response to the worsening situation, the UK, European Union, Australia, Canada, and Japan have issued a stark statement acknowledging that "famine is unfolding in front of our eyes," calling for "immediate, permanent and concrete steps" to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. They claim that Israel denies the existence of starvation in Gaza, asserting that UN agencies are capable of transporting supplies across the borders.
Adding to the humanitarian plight, the World Health Organization has requested Israel to allow the entry of medical supplies to address the "catastrophic" health conditions in Gaza prior to the anticipated military takeover of Gaza City. Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization representative in the Palestinian territories, indicated that, despite claims of increasing humanitarian support, the reality is far from sufficient to meet urgent needs. "We want to stock hospitals as quickly as possible," he asserted, emphasizing the dire need for essential medications and supplies.
Israeli officials, meeting on Monday, decided to advance their military operation to take control of Gaza City, a decision that incurred condemnation during an emergency UN Security Council session. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared they are "at the beginning of a new state of combat," but specifics regarding the timeframe for urban military action are lacking.
Amid all the chaos, the local population reports unrelenting aerial attacks. One resident, Majed al-Hosary, described the situation as "extremely intense," characterizing each strike as a violent tremor that hinders any rescue efforts. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported that over the last day, 100 lives were lost, including 31 at locations identified as aid sites. An additional five people reportedly died from malnutrition.
International criticism of Israel's 22-month conflict with Hamas is intensifying, particularly in light of declarations by UN-backed advocates who are warning of a looming famine in the besieged territory. Notably, a collective of former world leaders dubbed "The Elders" made headlines by labeling the ongoing situation in Gaza as an "unfolding genocide," expressing their belief that the Israeli actions have precipitated severe humanitarian distress.
In a separate development, the deaths of five Al Jazeera journalists during an Israeli attack on a media location in Gaza City have drawn international outrage. The IDF alleged ties to terrorist activity but provided scant evidence, leading to assertions from media defense organizations claiming that Israel seeks to suppress journalistic coverage of the conflict.
The situation in Gaza remains complex and fraught, with the death toll exceeding 61,599 Palestinians, according to figures from local health authorities, amidst ongoing conflict that flared after Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli fatalities and 251 hostages.
The war's continuation has escalated tensions and polarized opinions on both sides as the world watches the unfolding humanitarian tragedy.
In response to the worsening situation, the UK, European Union, Australia, Canada, and Japan have issued a stark statement acknowledging that "famine is unfolding in front of our eyes," calling for "immediate, permanent and concrete steps" to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. They claim that Israel denies the existence of starvation in Gaza, asserting that UN agencies are capable of transporting supplies across the borders.
Adding to the humanitarian plight, the World Health Organization has requested Israel to allow the entry of medical supplies to address the "catastrophic" health conditions in Gaza prior to the anticipated military takeover of Gaza City. Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization representative in the Palestinian territories, indicated that, despite claims of increasing humanitarian support, the reality is far from sufficient to meet urgent needs. "We want to stock hospitals as quickly as possible," he asserted, emphasizing the dire need for essential medications and supplies.
Israeli officials, meeting on Monday, decided to advance their military operation to take control of Gaza City, a decision that incurred condemnation during an emergency UN Security Council session. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared they are "at the beginning of a new state of combat," but specifics regarding the timeframe for urban military action are lacking.
Amid all the chaos, the local population reports unrelenting aerial attacks. One resident, Majed al-Hosary, described the situation as "extremely intense," characterizing each strike as a violent tremor that hinders any rescue efforts. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported that over the last day, 100 lives were lost, including 31 at locations identified as aid sites. An additional five people reportedly died from malnutrition.
International criticism of Israel's 22-month conflict with Hamas is intensifying, particularly in light of declarations by UN-backed advocates who are warning of a looming famine in the besieged territory. Notably, a collective of former world leaders dubbed "The Elders" made headlines by labeling the ongoing situation in Gaza as an "unfolding genocide," expressing their belief that the Israeli actions have precipitated severe humanitarian distress.
In a separate development, the deaths of five Al Jazeera journalists during an Israeli attack on a media location in Gaza City have drawn international outrage. The IDF alleged ties to terrorist activity but provided scant evidence, leading to assertions from media defense organizations claiming that Israel seeks to suppress journalistic coverage of the conflict.
The situation in Gaza remains complex and fraught, with the death toll exceeding 61,599 Palestinians, according to figures from local health authorities, amidst ongoing conflict that flared after Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli fatalities and 251 hostages.
The war's continuation has escalated tensions and polarized opinions on both sides as the world watches the unfolding humanitarian tragedy.
