Southern Gaza Rocked by Intense Israeli Bombardment, Aid Calls Surge

Overnight, Israel intensified its bombardment on the southern part of the Gaza Strip, ignoring global calls for an immediate halt to the hostilities in the area, which is on the brink of a famine.

The siege on Gaza has left it in dire need of humanitarian aid. Despite Hamas’s plea to halt them, the United States has stated its continuation of airdrops, following incidents where 18 individuals perished trying to access the dropped food packages.

Rafah, the southern city, witnessed a significant attack, marking its first by Israeli forces, lighting up the sky as approximately 1.5 million residents, many displaced towards the Egyptian border, are squeezed into this region.

In Gaza City to the north, ongoing Israeli assaults have targeted the city’s largest hospital for over a week, with explosions and smoke being reported.

The health ministry controlled by Hamas in Gaza announced early Wednesday that 66 individuals were killed overnight, including three from airstrikes around Rafah.

Despite the UN Security Council’s first resolution for an “immediate ceasefire” two days prior, the conflict persisted, calling also for the release of around 130 hostages held in Gaza, of which 34 are presumed deceased.

Israeli forces have besieged two hospitals in Khan Younis, resulting in 12 deaths, including children, from a strike on a displaced persons camp.

The Palestinian Red Crescent has highlighted the dire situation of thousands trapped in Khan Younis’s Nasser hospital, their lives at risk.

Highlighting the dire circumstances, Hamas has requested donor countries to halt airdrop operations after 12 individuals drowned attempting to retrieve aid dropped into the sea. Additionally, six deaths occurred in aid scrambles.

Hamas is pressing for increased truck deliveries of aid into Gaza, with the UN warning of an impending “man-made famine” due to the prolonged conflict. The war, initiated by Hamas’s significant assault on Israel on October 7, has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, leaving all 2.4 million residents in need of aid.

UNICEF emphasizes the critical need for increased road aid to prevent famine, with significant aid supplies waiting at Gaza’s southern border with Egypt.

Footage shows crowds rushing towards airdropped packages, with aid provided by countries including Jordan, Egypt, the UAE, and Germany.

Following the October 7 attack, which resulted in significant civilian casualties in Israel, Israel’s retaliatory measures in Gaza have led to over 32,414 deaths, predominantly women and children, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry.

Israeli forces continue their operations against Hamas, with no indication of relenting, having struck over 60 targets recently.

The UN Security Council’s resolution for a ceasefire during Ramadan aims for a lasting peace, with the US abstaining from the vote, leading to a canceled US visit by Israeli officials.

Amidst the conflict, Israel’s political standing and its relations with key ally the US are being scrutinized, with the US expressing concerns over the humanitarian impact of the continued hostilities.

Indirect talks in Qatar between the conflicting parties aim to negotiate a ceasefire and hostage release, though both sides report little progress, blaming each other for the stalemate.

In Khan Younis, Israeli forces have encircled the Nasser Hospital, with reports of nearby gunfire but no raid yet. Meanwhile, intense battles continue at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, with significant casualties and arrests reported by Israel, amidst international concern for civilian safety in the conflict zone.