Israel has killed 24 in Gaza, while Hamas accepts a truce proposal as the humanitarian crisis escalates. The IFRC is advocating for urgent access to information on missing medics. The Israeli military continues operations in Rafah, leading to severe shortages of food and medical supplies amid widespread protests in Israel against the government’s policies.
Israel has reportedly killed 24 individuals in Gaza, while Hamas has accepted a new truce proposal mediated by Egypt and Qatar. As Palestinians in Gaza observe Eid under the ongoing Israeli blockade, there are growing calls for humanitarian access. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) emphasizes the need for urgent information regarding nine medics whose fate remains unknown after being under fire during an Israeli attack on March 23.
The IFRC stated the medics from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) encountered heavy gunfire while responding to an emergency and have since been unreachable. The organization stressed the importance of providing information to ensure the safe return of these vital humanitarian workers to their families, who are enduring distress without knowledge of their loved ones’ circumstances.
Ismail Al-Thawabta, spokesman for Gaza’s Government Media Office, expressed concerns regarding rising starvation as the Israeli blockade approaches a month. He indicated that approximately 20,000 aid trucks, including vital supplies like fuel and cooking oil, have been denied entry into Gaza, leading to widespread bakery closures amid Israeli military activities. Al-Thawabta holds the U.S. administration and Israeli army accountable for the worsening malnutrition and famine in the enclave.
The Israeli military has launched a new operation in Rafah city, extending the buffer zone along the Gaza perimeter and conducting simultaneous land and aerial attacks. This military approach aims to eliminate threats from Palestinian factions while causing further destruction to civilian infrastructure, including homes and roads. This expansion also suggests intentions to claim sovereignty over the region, with implications of possible annexation.
In recent reports from Al Jazeera Arabic, the deaths of four Palestinians in an Israeli attack targeting a tent for displaced individuals near Khan Younis have been confirmed, along with multiple injuries. Meanwhile, protests in Tel Aviv have erupted, with thousands demonstrating against the government’s policies and calling for the release of Israeli captives. These protests reflect widespread public discontent regarding government actions, including changes to the judiciary and allegations of corruption against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Concurrent with this domestic unrest, Netanyahu’s office announced a counter-offer to ceasefire proposals following Hamas’s acceptance, indicating a potential stalling tactic amidst escalating military action in Gaza. Al Jazeera reported testimonies from residents, illustrating the dire humanitarian crisis worsening in Gaza, with severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies as a result of the blockade that has been in place for nearly a month.
For continuous updates on the developments surrounding Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, regular monitoring of the situation is crucial.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza is marked by significant civilian casualties and a deepening humanitarian crisis. International organizations are urgently calling for access to aid, particularly in light of the alarming situation of the nine medics. The Israeli government’s military strategy continues to exacerbate the conditions of the Palestinian population, and widespread protests in Israel reflect growing discontent with government policies and actions. A potential truce remains uncertain as both sides navigate complex political and military dynamics.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com