Israeli airstrikes in Gaza overnight resulted in the deaths of at least 23 Palestinians, including three children and their parents, when their tent was struck in Gaza City’s Sabra district, according to health authorities. The bombardment persists amid rising international concerns over Israel’s plans to regulate aid distribution as the blockade of Gaza, home to over two million residents, enters its third month.
The UN and various humanitarian groups have opposed Israel’s proposed aid distribution measures, including a controversial plan spearheaded by a group called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, composed of former US military officers and aid officials. Recent attacks have targeted UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) facilities, with one strike resulting in four deaths at a warehouse in Jabaliya.
With the blockade severely limiting food supplies, many charity kitchens, which have been a vital source of sustenance for Gazans, have recently closed due to dwindling resources. Aid groups warn that further closures are on the horizon, while Israel asserts its blockade aims to compel Hamas to release hostages and disarm. Critics label the blockade a “starvation tactic” and argue it could constitute a war crime.
The ongoing conflict, now in its 19th month, has been marked as the most devastating in the long history between Israel and Hamas, with over 52,800 fatalities reported in Gaza, predominantly women and children, alongside more than 119,000 injuries. This death toll does not distinguish between combatants and civilians; Israel contends it has eliminated thousands of militants without providing concrete evidence.
The hostilities resumed on March 18, breaching a two-month ceasefire following a deadly assault by Hamas on October 7, 2023, where nearly 1,200 Israelis were killed, mainly civilians, with over 250 people taken hostage. Currently, Hamas is believed to be holding around 59 hostages, with some believed to still be alive.
Demonstrations in Tel Aviv have emerged, demanding a ceasefire to facilitate the safe return of all hostages. Family members of hostages have raised alarms over the Israeli government’s military plans in Gaza, expressing concerns that an escalation of operations may threaten the lives of those currently held captive. The conflict continues to unfold with grave humanitarian implications for the people of Gaza, as international efforts to mediate the crisis remain fraught with challenges.