The situation in Gaza remains dire as the Israeli military offensive intensifies, with recent bombings leaving at least 25 dead and 50 injured in Palestinian refugee camps near Rafah. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep concern over the ‘total lawlessness’ in the region, which has severely hindered the distribution of humanitarian aid. Guterres has called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to establish a mechanism that would ensure a minimum level of law and order and facilitate aid distribution. The conflict, which has been ongoing for nearly nine months, has seen daily military confrontations and has resulted in a staggering number of casualties, with over 37,000 people killed, mostly civilians. The recent bombings have targeted not only the city of Rafah but also the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) office in Gaza, causing additional deaths and injuries. The Israeli military has declared a ‘pause’ in fighting to facilitate aid deliveries, but the UN has reported no impact on the humanitarian supply flow. Armenia has joined the international community in recognizing the State of Palestine, amidst the continuing violence. The conflict has led to fears of a wider war, with tensions escalating between Israel and Hezbollah along the Lebanon border, raising concerns of a new Gaza-like situation in the Middle East. The Israeli military is reportedly close to making a decision on the Rafah operation and the fighting in Gaza, as casualties continue to mount across the region.
Key points
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza due to ‘total lawlessness’.
- Recent Israeli bombings in Gaza have resulted in at least 25 deaths and 50 injuries.
- The conflict between Israel and Hamas is nearing its ninth month, with over 37,000 casualties reported.
- Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah are escalating, with potential for a wider conflict.
- International community, including Armenia, recognizes the State of Palestine amid the ongoing violence.
