Day 77 of the Israel-Hamas conflict: According to the UN, over 500,000 people in the Gaza Strip are starving. After Hamas went on a violent spree and took hostages in Israel on October 7, the group started a war that has murdered about 20,000 Palestinians. Gaza's health system has collapsed as a result of the conflict. The World Health Organisation reports that only nine of its thirty-six health facilities—all of which are in the south—are still partially operational. Israel has stated that although months of combat remain in the southern Gaza, it is nearing the end of its efforts to drive out Hamas militants from the northern part of the country.
The battle and bombardment persisted on Thursday, and communications and the internet—which had been out for several days—started to slowly come back to all areas of the territory. Members of the UN Security Council are debating a resolution, sponsored by the Arabs, calling for an end to hostilities so that more relief can be delivered. In an attempt to gain US backing, the resolution's vote has been postponed twice this week.
After Israel opened the Kerem Shalom border to humanitarian supplies this week, the number of trucks entering Gaza increased from about 100 each day to almost 190 on Wednesday. Nevertheless, relief deliveries were suspended on Thursday morning due to an Israeli strike that struck the Palestinian side of the bridge.
Israel has promised to keep up the offensive until all of Hamas' hostages are freed and the organisation is totally destroyed. Yesterday, Hamas demonstrated its continued military might by launching a flurry of rockets at central Israel. No immediate reports of casualties or damage were made.
The United States has persisted in backing Israel's campaign while advocating for increased measures to safeguard civilians. The United States wants Israel to switch to more focused attacks against Hamas commanders and tunnel systems.
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