In a major development marking the 28th day of the Israel-Gaza conflict, Israeli troops have encircled Gaza City. The situation on the ground remains intense, with several noteworthy updates.
The Israel-Gaza conflict continues to draw international attention and efforts towards addressing the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Israel-Gaza Conflict Live Updates
1. Growing International Concern: U.S. President Joe Biden and his top advisors have issued warnings to Israel, expressing concern about the global outcry and humanitarian suffering. They highlight that as Israel's military presence increases, achieving its goals in Gaza may become more challenging.
2. Tragedy Strikes School: A recent Israeli military strike on a school sheltering civilians resulted in several casualties, according to a UN agency. Gaza's hospitals continue to grapple with critical shortages of medical supplies.
3. Foreigners Cross Rafah Border: Approximately 341 foreigners successfully crossed the Rafah border crossings on Thursday, as reported by CNN. Meanwhile, more than 20,000 wounded individuals remain trapped in Gaza, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
4. U.S. Aid to Israel: The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill authorizing $14.3 billion in aid to Israel, further cementing its support for the nation.
5. Combating Antisemitism: Over 25 prominent U.S. law firms have sent a letter to more than 100 law school deans, urging them to take a firm stance against antisemitic harassment on their campuses. Antisemitic incidents have surged since the conflict's outset, leading to divisions on numerous campuses, including Harvard University, Stanford University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Presidents of these institutions have announced the formation of task forces to address antisemitism.
6. Palestinian Authority Tax Revenue: Israel has announced its intention to transfer tax revenue to the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the occupied West Bank. However, it will withhold funds destined for Hamas-ruled Gaza.
7. Hezbollah Targeted: The Israeli military has conducted a "broad assault" against Lebanon's Hezbollah. The Iran-backed militant group reported the loss of four fighters in the strike.
8. West Bank Unrest: Unrest in the occupied West Bank has escalated in tandem with the conflict in Gaza. On Thursday, three Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire, and an Israeli citizen was killed in a Palestinian shooting attack, as reported by the AFP news agency.
9. Jabalia Refugee Camp: Gaza's Hamas government disclosed that 195 people lost their lives in two days of Israeli strikes on the Jabalia refugee camp.
10. Diplomatic Efforts: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on his second crisis trip to the Middle East in response to the Hamas assault that triggered the conflict. His itinerary includes visits to Israel and Jordan later this week.
Additionally, Turkey has expressed its readiness to receive cancer patients from Gaza's Turkish-Palestinian Friendship hospital, which ceased operations due to a fuel shortage. The United Arab Emirates also pledged to provide medical treatment for 1,000 Palestinian children from Gaza, though the logistics of their departure from the enclave to the Gulf state remain unspecified.
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