Over 18 individuals lost their lives in the Israeli assaults carried out on Gaza Strip this past Saturday
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, the situation remains dire. Over 60,400 Palestinians have been killed and more than 148,700 injured since Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. These figures, reported by humanitarian organizations, paint a grim picture of the prolonged violence.
Recent developments include five Palestinians being killed by Israeli forces near the Morag corridor in Rafah. The circumstances surrounding this incident are currently under investigation.
Meanwhile, the situation for civilians in Gaza is critical. According to Hamas, seven people have died in the last 24 hours due to causes related to malnutrition, including a child, bringing the total number of children dead from hunger since the start of the war to 93. The ongoing conflict, coupled with the blockade and restrictions on aid imports, has led to severe food insecurity for the 1.9 million Gazans (about 90% of the population) who are displaced.
The humanitarian conditions have sharply deteriorated, with massive destruction of critical infrastructure including medical facilities and schools. Israeli airstrikes have hit places like the Catholic Church of the Holy Family, killing civilians and forcing evacuees from shelters. The blockade and restrictions on aid imports, including essential water purification supplies, have worsened the crisis, contributing to outbreaks of diseases such as polio.
Violence against humanitarian workers has also been documented. For example, Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed seven employees of the World Central Kitchen in April 2024, and World Food Programme workers were shot in August 2024. Such incidents have restricted aid agencies' capacity to operate freely, with many limiting activities due to safety concerns. Allegations exist about the targeting of journalists and humanitarian zones by Israeli forces, generating widespread condemnation and calls for accountability.
Hostage situations remain critical, with about 50 hostages believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza, including some reportedly dead. This continues to complicate efforts for ceasefire and humanitarian access.
The United Nations and humanitarian groups stress the urgent need for adherence to international humanitarian law, protection of civilians and infrastructure, immediate ceasefire, and unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery to alleviate Gaza's catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
In a related development, Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, joined the protest, a week after abandoning ceasefire negotiations. The UN, in a report published on Thursday, states that between May 27 and July 31, 859 people were killed near GHF centers, with hundreds more fatalities along the routes of food aid convoys.
As the crisis continues, families in Tel Aviv are protesting for the release of the hostages and urging the Israeli government to end the war. The UN claims to have mechanisms in place to prevent any organized diversion of aid, but Israel accuses Hamas of diverting resources, although it has not presented evidence of large-scale thefts.
In the last 24 hours, 98 people have died and another 1,079 have been injured. A total of 39 deaths and 849 injuries are attributed to Israeli forces during operations by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Reports of panic and violence near GHF distribution points continue to surface, as families struggle to access essential aid.
The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, described a humanitarian aid distribution site as "an incredible achievement" a day before the incident. Today, at least 18 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes and shelling, with 10 of the fatalities occurring in the center and south of Gaza.
The international community, including several European countries, have announced plans to join the coalition led by Jordan that organizes aerial launches of aid. Philippe Lazzarini, director of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, wrote on X today that there should be political will to open up roadways, in addition to the political will for aerial launches.
The situation in Gaza remains complex and urgent, with ongoing conflict, high civilian casualties, critical shortages of food, water, and medical care, attacks on humanitarian operations, and complex hostage situations, all underscored by an ongoing blockade and restricted aid flow.
- The ongoing crisis in Gaza, marked by war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news, has led to the world witnessing severe food insecurity, malnutrition, and diseases, with the United Nations urging immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery.
- Amid the prolonged violence and blockade in Gaza, various humanitarian organizations, including World Central Kitchen and World Food Programme, have experienced attacks, highlighting the dangers associated with politics, war-and-conflicts, and the general news landscape of the world.
