Gaza: Deadly escalation, famine, and stalled diplomacy
Increased Israeli offensive on Gaza City
Over the past 48 hours, the Israeli army has taken control of 40% of Gaza City, particularly in the Zeitoun and Sheikh Radwan neighborhoods, and plans to escalate operations in the coming days, according to Reuters. These strikes resulted in at least 53 deaths on Thursday, mostly civilians, including malnourished individuals struck while seeking humanitarian aid Reuters.
Hospitals targeted, population starving
A new airstrike destroyed a high-rise building in Rimal, west of Gaza City, officially targeted because it was used by Hamas. The provisional toll stands at 27 dead in several sectors of the city, according to AP News, while an entire neighborhood is now classified as a "combat zone", halting all humanitarian assistance AP News.
International exhaustion and reconstruction discussed
The humanitarian situation is on the brink: hundreds of thousands of civilians are starving, injured, or displaced. Discussions between the UN and the United States for a reconstruction plan—involving a technocratic transition, an international force, and the disintegration of Hamas—are taking place before the UN General Assembly, as highlighted by The Guardian The Guardian. But the de facto war continues, with little humanitarian relief in sight.
Diminished hope for hostages
In this escalating context, several hostages remain held by Hamas. The Israeli government refuses any pause in the conflict until these captives are released, leaving a sword of Damocles hanging over any diplomatic attempt.
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