GAZA: As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, desperately needed international aid has amassed near the region. Palestinians, facing severe shortages of food and water after enduring relentless bombings by Israel, find themselves in dire circumstances, with their situation compounded by the deadliest attack in Gaza's history.
The latest figures from the Gaza health ministry report that over 3,785 Palestinians, the majority of whom are civilians, have lost their lives in the ongoing bombardment. Israel has declared its intention to dismantle Hamas following an attack initiated by the group on October 7, originating from the Gaza Strip. In response, Israeli warplanes have razed entire city blocks in Gaza, signaling an imminent ground invasion.
The United Nations has disclosed that over one million of Gaza's 2.4 million residents have been displaced, and the humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate with each passing day. Regrettably, the green light to allow the trucks filled with aid, currently queued at the border, has not yet been granted.
At the El Arish airport near Gaza, essential supplies such as medicine, water purifiers, and blankets are being offloaded. Ahmed Ali, the head of the Egyptian Red Crescent, reports receiving "two to three planes of aid a day."
Sara Alzawqari, UNICEF's spokeswoman for the Gulf, characterizes the situation inside Gaza as "beyond catastrophic," with a growing number of casualties, especially among children. Although Egyptian state-linked broadcaster Al Qahera News initially indicated that the Rafah crossing—the sole entry point into Gaza—would open on Friday, Cairo later announced the need for additional time to repair roads.
In Geneva, the World Health Organization's emergencies director, Michael Ryan, deems the deal reached by US President Joe Biden to allow in 20 trucks as "a drop in the ocean of need" and advocates for a more substantial response with 2,000 trucks.
Meanwhile, within Israel, grappling with the aftermath of the deadliest attack in its 75-year history, preparations for a ground offensive intensify. Clad in body armor, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits front-line troops near Gaza, urging them to "fight like lions" and achieve victory with unwavering determination.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also tours the front line, assuring the troops awaiting the ground invasion that new orders will be forthcoming. He states, "Right now you see Gaza from afar, soon you will see it from the inside. The order will come soon," anticipating challenging battles ahead.
In the midst of these developments, President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office, emphasizing the United States' steadfast support for Israel and its intention to seek urgent congressional approval for aid. He underscores the critical role of American leadership in maintaining global stability while also recognizing the urgent humanitarian needs of those trapped in Gaza.
Fresh from a recent visit to Israel, Biden aims to prevent the escalation of a broader Middle East conflict. The United States has deployed two aircraft carriers to the eastern Mediterranean to deter Iran and Hezbollah, both of which are allies of Hamas, from becoming involved.
Concerns of a wider conflagration grow, with Israel announcing plans to evacuate the northern city of Kiryat Shmona after days of clashes with Hezbollah fighters along the Lebanese border.
Key regional leaders, including Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt and Jordan's King Abdullah II, caution against the expansion of the conflict and condemn what they describe as the "collective punishment" of Gazans.
Meanwhile, both sides continue to exchange blame for deadly strikes, with the latest incident occurring at a church compound in Gaza late on Thursday. The Gazan interior ministry reports casualties among those seeking shelter in the church and attributes the incident to an Israeli strike. Witnesses confirm damage to the church's facade and a neighboring building's collapse, with numerous injured individuals transported to hospitals.
The Israeli army acknowledges damage to the church's wall in one of its airstrikes, targeting a "command and control center belonging to a Hamas terrorist." The incident is currently under review, according to an army spokesperson.
