Humanitarian crisis worsens in Gaza as Israel-Hamas intensifies

The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen as Israeli forces expand their operations in the Palestinian enclave. The World Food Programme (WFP) has described the situation as one of “unimaginable loss, destruction, and misery” with widespread hunger among the population. Israel has announced that it will open the Kerem Shalom border crossing to allow aid trucks to enter Gaza, a move that has been welcomed by the United Nations. The Israeli military has reported the killing of two senior Hamas members, while the son of an Israeli government minister was killed in northern Gaza. US President Joe Biden has emphasized the need for Israel to protect civilians in a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The WFP has highlighted the severe hunger crisis in Gaza, with 97% of households in the north and 83% in the south having inadequate food consumption. The situation is so dire that some households are resorting to burning waste as a source of cooking fuel. The humanitarian situation is also impacting emergency operations, with the Palestine Red Crescent Society reporting that the lack of fuel has halted work at its ambulance center.

Amid the ongoing conflict, the Israeli military has arrested and questioned hundreds of suspects allegedly involved in terror activities in Gaza. Social media images have shown mass detentions of men who were made to strip to their underwear, kneel on the street, wear blindfolds, and be transported in military vehicles. It has been confirmed that at least some of these men are civilians with no known affiliation to militant groups. Israel has released a satellite image and video allegedly showing Hamas rocket launches next to a humanitarian zone and a UN facility in southern Gaza. However, the location of the rocket launches could not be independently verified.

Since October 7, Israeli attacks in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 17,177 Palestinians and the injury of 46,000 people. The majority of the wounded are reported to be children, women, and the elderly.

In terms of humanitarian aid, 634 people crossed into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing on Thursday, and a total of 70 aid trucks entered Gaza. Israel has also announced the upcoming opening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing for aid truck inspections. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has commended the fuel allowed into Gaza but emphasized the need for further humanitarian assistance.

The Israeli prime minister has stated that Israeli forces have surrounded the house of Yahya Sinwar, a top Hamas official in Gaza. However, it is believed that Sinwar is hiding underground in Gaza. Sinwar is considered a key target by Israeli authorities for his alleged involvement in the October 7 terror attack against Israel.

Finally, Gal Meir Eisenkot, the son of an Israeli government minister, has been killed in northern Gaza. He was a combat soldier in the 699th Battalion of the 551st reserve commando Brigade.