Image credits: Al Jazeera
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, hundreds of Palestinians remain trapped in the eastern part of Khan Younis amid severe hostilities. The UN’s humanitarian aid agency reported that rescue teams are unable to reach these individuals due to the denial of access by the Israeli military.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighted a significant reduction in the daily volume of humanitarian aid cargo entering the Gaza Strip. Since April, there has been a 56 percent decrease, exacerbating the already critical humanitarian crisis in the region. Al Jazeera’s correspondent reported that the city has witnessed new Israeli air strikes, resulting in the deaths of 18 people.
Efforts to broker a ceasefire are ongoing, with mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States expected to meet Israeli negotiators in Rome on Sunday. The death toll in the region has reached alarming levels, with at least 39,175 people killed and 90,403 injured since the start of the conflict. The death toll in Israel from the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 stands at approximately 1,139, with dozens still held captive in Gaza.
The Israeli military bombed a home north of Rafah in southern Gaza, killing at least two people. Local media reports indicate that an unspecified number of individuals were also injured in the strike, which targeted the al-Masry family in the Musabbeh area of Rafah.
The escalating conflict has severely impacted the lives of countless civilians in Gaza, with humanitarian agencies struggling to provide adequate assistance due to restricted access and the ongoing violence. The situation in Khan Younis exemplifies the broader humanitarian crisis, where residents are caught in the crossfire and face extreme hardships. As international efforts to negotiate a ceasefire continue, the focus remains on addressing the immediate needs of those affected by the conflict.