Three Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Monday, despite a ceasefire. This incident adds to the severe humanitarian crisis following a 16-day blockade preventing aid access. The death toll since the conflict’s escalation on October 7 has reached 48,577, with further diplomatic negotiations aiming to extend the ceasefire.
On Monday, three Palestinians died and several were wounded due to an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza, despite an ongoing ceasefire. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that the strike targeted the Wadi Gaza area, resulting in the fatalities. Additionally, another Palestinian was killed in a different strike near Kuwait Roundabout, located southeast of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood. Since the onset of the Israeli offensive on October 7, 2023, the death toll in Gaza has soared to 48,577, with over 112,000 individuals injured.
The situation has intensified alongside a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by Israel’s blockade of the Kerem Shalom border crossing, which has restricted access to essential aid and fuel for 16 days. This blockade has critically hampered healthcare services, as hospitals are experiencing acute shortages of medical supplies. Moreover, it has obstructed transportation, impeding the movement of those injured or unwell to necessary medical care. Concurrently, power outages have forced the shutdown of desalination plants, worsening the already dire water crisis in the region.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has stated that no humanitarian assistance has been allowed into Gaza since March 2. Concurrently, UNICEF has reported that one million Palestinian children are currently facing severe food and water shortages, putting their very survival at risk.
In a related development, a delegation from Hamas is set to arrive in Cairo within two days to discuss extending the ceasefire, following an invitation from Egypt and a proposal from U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein. However, despite these diplomatic initiatives, conditions in Gaza are progressively worsening, leading to heightened concerns regarding the humanitarian crisis.
In summary, the recent escalation of violence in Gaza, illustrated by the Israeli airstrike resulting in three deaths, occurs against a backdrop of a critical humanitarian crisis. The ongoing blockade continues to stifle medical assistance and vital supplies, while UNICEF and UNRWA alert global audiences to the dire situation facing children and civilians in the region. Despite diplomatic attempts, the dire humanitarian circumstances persist, necessitating urgent international attention.
Original Source: www.dailynewsegypt.com
