Military action in northern Gaza set to prompt or reduce Israel's humanitarian aid assistance
In the embattled Gaza Strip, a dire situation is unfolding as the conflict between Israel and Hamas intensifies. The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric, has issued a grave warning: a mass evacuation of Gaza City could lead to a massive population movement that the already devastated region would struggle to accommodate.
The warning comes as the destruction of civilian infrastructure, food shortages, water scarcity, shelter dearth, and medical care deficiencies reach critical levels. This crisis has already claimed the lives of at least 10 individuals over the past 24 hours, including three children, due to starvation and malnutrition. Since the start of the war, at least 332 Palestinians, including 124 children, have succumbed to malnutrition-related causes.
Israel's military offensive against Hamas continues to expand in parts of northern Gaza, leading to further hardships for the residents. Fadi Al-Daour, a displaced resident of Gaza City, paints a bleak picture, stating, "No one is searching, and there are no journalists to film. There is nothing."
The Israeli government's decision to slow down or entirely stop humanitarian aid to parts of northern Gaza has exacerbated the crisis. Israel has partially blocked or restricted aid deliveries in the past and retains the power to allow or restrict humanitarian aid into Gaza during ongoing military operations. In response to this development, the Israeli government official told The Associated Press that airdrops over Gaza City will cease in the coming days and the number of aid trucks arriving will be reduced.
The United Nations and partners have asserted that these recent measures, including daytime pauses in fighting for aid delivery, fall far short of the 600 trucks of aid needed daily in Gaza. The United Nations has declared Gaza City a combat zone, and Israel, on Friday, ended daytime pauses in fighting to allow aid delivery, alleging that a tunnel network remains in use and describing Gaza City as a Hamas stronghold.
Amidst this turmoil, there is a glimmer of hope. The remains of hostage Idan Shtivi, who was kidnapped during the Hamas-led attack on the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023, have been identified. Forty-eight hostages remain in Gaza, over 250 of whom were initially seized. Israel believes 20 of these hostages are still alive.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the international community must urgently address the humanitarian crisis and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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