The World Health Organization is facing a critical situation in southern Gaza, with only three days of fuel left for its medical operations. This shortage has already forced one of the three remaining hospitals in Rafah to shut down. The closure of the Rafah border crossing by Israel, in addition to the ongoing fighting in the region, has prevented the entry of essential humanitarian aid into Gaza. The situation in northern Gaza has been described as a “full-blown famine” by the United Nations, with no aid reaching the area.
Israel reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing, another main entry point for aid, but no aid has entered Gaza as of yet due to the ongoing fighting and closures. The war in Gaza has led to massive displacement of the population, with around 80% of the territory’s 2.3 million people forced from their homes. The destruction caused by the conflict has impacted various aspects of life in Gaza, including apartments, hospitals, mosques, and schools. The death toll in Gaza has risen to more than 34,500 people, according to local health officials.
The conflict in Gaza began on October 7 when Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel, resulting in numerous casualties and abductions. Israel has reported that militants still hold hostages and the remains of individuals. The situation in Rafah, following the seizure of the border crossing, has caused chaos and panic among Palestinians fleeing the area. The United States has expressed its stance against supplying offensive weapons to Israel for potential attacks on Rafah, citing concerns for the safety of civilians.
In Lebanon, an Israeli drone strike on a car in a village near the border resulted in the deaths of four individuals. The Civil Defense paramedic group in Lebanon reported that those killed in the strike may have been members of Hezbollah, a militant group. Tensions between Israel and Lebanon have been rising, with attacks and counterattacks escalating in recent days. The international community has been making efforts to bring calm to the border between the two countries, with Hezbollah indicating a readiness to continue fighting until a cease-fire is established in Gaza.
Amidst the ongoing conflict, Israeli airstrikes in Rafah have led to casualties, including children, and significant damage to residential buildings. The Israeli military has been conducting operations in various parts of Gaza, resulting in evacuations and disruptions to daily life. The situation has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of civilians in the region. The conflict has also spilled over into Lebanon, with mortar launches from Lebanon leading to fatalities in Israel and retaliatory strikes by the Israeli army.
Syrian state media reported an Israeli strike on a building in a suburb of Damascus, causing damage but no casualties. The strike targeted Iran-backed fighters in the area, according to opposition sources. The conflict has also impacted other regions, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels claiming missile attacks on ships in the Gulf of Aden. The rebels have linked their attacks to the ongoing war in Gaza, indicating a continuation of hostilities as long as the situation persists. Efforts to reach a cease-fire and resume humanitarian operations in Gaza are underway, with negotiations ongoing between the United Nations, Israel, and Egypt.
