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At least 49 Palestinians lost their lives in overnight Israeli airstrikes, according to a statement by Gaza's interior ministry on...
Digital Desk: At least 49 Palestinians lost their lives in overnight Israeli airstrikes, according to a statement by Gaza's interior ministry on Thursday. The devastating attacks targeted the southern towns of Khan Younis and Rafah, intensifying an already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.
Reports from Palestinian sources described the onslaught as particularly intense, as Israel had previously ordered civilians in these areas to seek refuge. The strikes hit areas to the west and southeast of Khan Younis, as well as the western parts of Rafah.
The situation in Rafah, which houses Gaza's only border crossing to Egypt, remains critical. Thousands of people, desperately trying to escape the war-torn region, have gathered at this crossing. International mediators are actively working to negotiate a deal that would allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and provide safe passage for refugees holding foreign passports.
On the diplomatic front, the United States has stepped in to help break the deadlock surrounding aid delivery to the besieged civilians in Gaza. President Joe Biden was set to visit Israel and Jordan on Wednesday, aiming to address the escalating crisis. Aid workers have repeatedly warned that Gaza is on the brink of total collapse due to the Israeli siege. Essential services such as water supply and electricity in hospitals are dwindling rapidly, leaving hundreds of thousands seeking shelter.
At the Rafah border crossing, a lifeline for the embattled region, truckloads of aid are ready for delivery. Civilians, many of whom hold dual nationalities, are anxiously waiting for an opportunity to leave the conflict zone. However, as of early Tuesday, it remains unclear who is responsible for the ongoing closure of the border crossing.
In a bid to facilitate aid and a potential ceasefire, General Erik Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of President Biden's visit. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who had just concluded a six-country tour through Arab nations, stated that the United States and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. While details of the plan remain sparse, it is expected to include measures aimed at protecting civilians from harm.
Despite the diplomatic efforts, Israel continued its punishing airstrikes across Gaza, raising the specter of a ground invasion. In response, Hamas militants maintained a barrage of rocket attacks. Tensions were also rising near the Israel-Lebanon border, underscoring the wider regional implications of the conflict.
The toll of the conflict is staggering, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting over 2,778 casualties and 9,700 wounded in the Gaza Strip. Tragically, more than 1,400 Israelis have also lost their lives, the majority of them civilians, as a result of Hamas' assault on October 7. The international community continues to grapple with finding a resolution to this ongoing crisis and bringing much-needed relief to the suffering people of Gaza.
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