Gaza City is facing severe air assaults, as reported by the Hamas-run civil defense agency, with Israeli forces poised to further invade the area. Mahmud Bassal, a spokesperson, indicated that the Zeitoun and Sabra neighborhoods have endured bombings and drone strikes for three consecutive days, resulting in extensive destruction of civilian housing and making recovery efforts for the dead and injured perilous for residents.
In a global response to the humanitarian crisis, the UK, EU, Australia, Canada, and Japan have collectively warned of an “unfolding famine before our eyes,” calling for immediate interventions to facilitate aid delivery to Gaza. Israel, however, contests claims of famine, placing the blame on UN agencies for failing to distribute aid effectively at the borders.
The joint statement from these nations emphasized the need for a halt to lethal force near humanitarian aid distribution sites, where over 1,300 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives, primarily due to Israeli military actions. Concurrently, the World Health Organization has made urgent appeals to Israel, seeking permission to deliver medical supplies amid a "catastrophic" health crisis. Rik Peeperkorn, the representative for the agency in Palestinian territories, voiced concerns about the inadequacy of humanitarian supplies currently permitted to enter Gaza.
Israel’s war cabinet has voted to move towards occupying Gaza City, drawing condemnation during an emergency UN Security Council meeting. On Tuesday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) described their operations as entering a new combat phase, although no specific timeline for the occupation was specified. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed forces to dismantle the last remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza City and proposed a three-part strategy to facilitate increased aid through identified safe corridors and coordinated air drops.
Local residents in Gaza City described the air attacks as relentless, with one individual, Majed al-Hosary, expressing that "the ground shakes" with every bombardment, highlighting the plight of those currently trapped under rubble. The Hamas-run health ministry reported that in just 24 hours, 100 fatalities were recorded across Gaza, including 31 individuals killed at aid sites, alongside additional deaths attributed to malnutrition.
The international community has voiced mounting discontent over Israel's prolonged military engagement with Hamas. Experts sanctioned by the UN have raised alarms about an expansive famine within the besieged territory. Notably, a coalition of former global leaders known as “The Elders” labeled the escalating situation in Gaza as an “unfolding genocide,” attributing responsibility for the humanitarian crisis to Israeli actions. Following their observation at the Gaza border, Helen Clark and Mary Robinson stated, "Our findings affirm our belief that not only is there a human-caused famine unfolding in Gaza; it is indeed an unfolding genocide."
In the context of media freedom, Israeli forces are under scrutiny following the fatal attack on five Al Jazeera journalists during a raid on a media tent in Gaza City, raising questions about the intent behind silencing reporting from within the conflict zone. The IDF has confirmed the targeting of known journalist Anas al-Sharif, linking him to Hamas activities, but has not provided substantial evidence for these claims, leading to widespread condemnation from media advocacy groups.
The broader conflict, initiated by Hamas's attack that claimed over 1,200 lives and took 251 hostages on October 7, 2023, continues to evolve, with the health ministry in Gaza reporting an alarming toll of at least 61,599 Palestinian fatalities, a figure the UN has deemed credible.
