Amid escalating violence in the Israel-Hamas conflict, Israel's military has intensified its airstrikes in southern Gaza, resulting in one of the deadliest days for Palestinians since the conflict began. This surge in hostilities has prompted global leaders to urge an immediate ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.
The United States and Russia are leading international calls for a pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas, seeking to provide essential aid to Gaza residents living under harrowing conditions. October 24 marked a grim milestone, with the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza reporting the loss of 704 Palestinian lives, including 305 children. This is the highest daily death toll since the conflict started nearly three weeks ago.
Israel launched its offensive in Gaza after a violent incursion by Hamas militants into southern Israeli towns on October 7, resulting in the tragic loss of 1,400 lives, primarily civilians. As the crisis deepens, U.S. President Joe Biden and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the need for broader diplomacy to stabilize the region and prevent further escalation.
The situation has further deteriorated as clashes intensified between the Israeli military and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and renewed tensions between Israel and the Hezbollah armed group in Lebanon, along the Israeli-Lebanon border. Iran, a long-time regional power, supports both Hezbollah and Hamas and has sternly warned Israel to halt its military campaign in Gaza.
Moreover, the complexity of the situation extends beyond Gaza. Israeli forces engaged in an overnight raid in the occupied West Bank encountered Palestinians who engaged them in firefights. The Israeli military retaliated with drones, resulting in tragic losses. Since October 7, more than 100 Palestinians have been killed in West Bank clashes with the Israeli military, as per the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The situation is further complicated by Israel's military reporting the targeting of a Hamas divers' cell attempting to enter Israel by sea near Kibbutz Zikim. Hamas has not yet issued a response to this incident.
As the crisis unfolds, the United States has advised Israel to delay its planned ground assault in an effort to secure the release of more than 200 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. However, President Biden emphasized that Israel is making its own decisions regarding the ground invasion.
In a social media statement, the Palestinian health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza highlighted the devastating human cost, reporting that at least 5,791 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli bombardments in the enclave since October 7, including 2,360 children.
Late on October 24, eight trucks carrying water, food, and medical supplies entered Gaza from Egypt, but the scale of aid required to meet Gaza's humanitarian needs remains far greater than the current capacity.
At the United Nations, both the United States and Russia have presented differing proposals for providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians. Washington advocates for temporary pauses in the fighting, while Russia seeks a comprehensive humanitarian ceasefire. Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia has called for an unconditional ceasefire, a sentiment echoed by many Arab states given the extensive destruction in Gaza.
The situation is further complicated by severe challenges faced by local hospitals as patients arriving for treatment are exhibiting signs of diseases related to overcrowding and poor sanitation. Over 1.4mn people have been displaced from their homes in Gaza, seeking temporary shelter.
UNRWA, the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees, has warned that it may halt its operations in Gaza due to the critical shortage of fuel. Meanwhile, Qatari officials are leading mediation efforts to encourage Hamas to expedite the release of hostages, including women and children, without requiring concessions from Israel.
Hamas has released four hostages thus far, but the situation remains highly fluid, with ongoing confrontations, mediation efforts, and appeals for humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
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