The ongoing conflict in Gaza has escalated as Israel intensifies its military campaign, with recent airstrikes hitting a refugee camp and a UN-run school, killing at least 37 people, including children. As the war enters its ninth month, the death toll has climbed to at least 36,731 Palestinians, with 83,530 wounded. The humanitarian crisis deepens, with the majority of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents displaced and at risk of starvation. Efforts to mediate a ceasefire have been met with challenges. The US, backed by Qatar and Egypt, has proposed a three-stage roadmap to peace, which includes a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from densely populated areas, and prisoner exchanges. However, Hamas has not yet responded to the proposal. Amidst the destruction, the US Central Command has facilitated the repair of a temporary pier in Gaza, allowing for the delivery of humanitarian aid. The Israeli military continues to justify its actions by accusing Hamas of using civilian infrastructure for military operations. Meanwhile, international pressure mounts on Israel to limit civilian casualties, with the UN calling for full transparency regarding the attacks. The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, shows no signs of abating, with both sides preparing for continued hostilities.
Key points
- Israeli airstrikes on a Gaza refugee camp and a UN-run school have resulted in at least 37 deaths, raising the total casualties to over 36,000.
- The US has proposed a three-stage ceasefire roadmap, but Hamas’s response is pending.
- A temporary pier in Gaza has been repaired by the US Central Command to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery.
