In a heartbreaking development, the loss of Issam and his family has left a deep impact on everyone involved. Achim Steiner, the head of the agency, emphasized that the U.N. and civilians in Gaza should never be targeted in this conflict, stating, “This war must end.”
The conflict between Israel and Hamas began when Hamas militants launched a deadly attack on October 7, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of around 240 hostages. Israel has vowed to continue the fight until Hamas is completely dismantled and removed from power in Gaza, and all the hostages are freed.
Tragically, the toll on Palestinian lives has been devastating, with over 20,000 Palestinians killed and more than 53,000 wounded according to health officials in Gaza. The territory, which has been under the rule of the Islamic militant group for the past 16 years, has been besieged and subjected to extensive airstrikes by Israel. Israel attributes the high civilian death toll to Hamas’ use of residential areas for military purposes and the presence of tunnels in urban areas.
In a recent development, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution aimed at expediting aid deliveries to the desperate civilians in Gaza. However, the resolution was significantly watered down from its original form, with the United States and Russia abstaining from the vote. The resolution called for urgent humanitarian assistance but did not include a demand for an immediate suspension of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his plea for a humanitarian cease-fire, expressing hope that the resolution would facilitate this outcome. However, he emphasized that immediate action is required to put an end to the ongoing “nightmare” in Gaza. Guterres criticized Israel’s offensive, stating that it hampers the distribution of vital humanitarian aid by creating significant obstacles such as security concerns, the safety of aid workers, logistical challenges, and the resumption of commercial activities.
Israel’s relentless aerial and ground offensive has resulted in the displacement of nearly 85% of Gaza’s population, approximately 2.3 million people. Large areas of the coastal enclave have been leveled, leaving over half a million people, a quarter of the population, starving, according to a report from the United Nations and other agencies.
Despite international pressure to de-escalate the situation, Israel has resisted scaling back its military campaign, bolstered by support from the Biden administration. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the military spokesman, announced that the ground offensive would be expanded to additional areas of the strip, primarily focusing on the south. The Israeli army also confirmed ongoing operations in the northern half of Gaza, including Gaza City.
Furthermore, the army disclosed that they have transferred more than 700 alleged militants from Gaza to Israel for further questioning, shedding light on a controversial policy of mass roundups of Palestinian men. Palestinians have reported widespread arrests in northern Gaza, where Israeli ground troops maintain control. Detainees have recounted instances of physical abuse, including beatings and prolonged periods of confinement with minimal access to water. The military denies these allegations of mistreatment and asserts that individuals without links to militants are promptly released.
Israel claims to have eliminated thousands of Hamas militants, including approximately 2,000 in the past three weeks. However, no evidence has been presented to substantiate these claims. Israel has also suffered losses, with 139 of its soldiers killed in the ground offensive.
Following the U.N. resolution, it remains uncertain when and how aid deliveries will be accelerated. Currently, trucks deliver aid through two crossings, Rafah on the Egypt border and Kerem Shalom on the Israel border. The approved resolution, negotiated by the United States, removed language that would have granted the U.N. authority to inspect aid entering Gaza, a measure Israel insists on to prevent materials from reaching Hamas.
Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Gilad Erdan, expressed gratitude to the U.S. for its support and strongly criticized the U.N. for its failure to condemn Hamas’ initial attacks. In October, the United States vetoed a resolution that solely condemned Hamas, as it did not also acknowledge Israel’s right to self-defense.
Hamas responded to the U.N. resolution, stating that it should have demanded an immediate halt to Israel’s offensive. They blamed the United States for diluting the resolution’s essence before the Security Council vote on Friday.,
An Israeli strike in Gaza has reportedly killed 76 members of a single family, according to rescue officials. The strike occurred amidst escalating combat in the southern region. The incident highlights the devastating toll endured by civilians caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
