GAZA: In the past 24 hours, Israel has launched a series of devastating air and artillery strikes on Gaza, hitting densely populated areas in the north, center, and south. Dozens have been killed in these attacks, with ground troops systematically demolishing residential homes in the southern city of Rafah, according to Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Gaza.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The humanitarian situation is dire, with thousands of children still buried under rubble, as reported by the UNICEF deputy chief in a briefing to the UN Security Council. The ongoing conflict has severely impacted medical facilities. Khaled Shakshir, a volunteer hospital technician at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir el-Balah, described the unbearable conditions as critical equipment, including anesthesia machines, continue to fail.

Diplomatic and Military Developments
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reported "significant progress" in securing US support for Israel’s military build-up and weapons supply during his trip to Washington, DC. This support is crucial as the conflict intensifies.

Staggering Death Toll
Since the conflict began on October 7, at least 37,718 people have been killed and 86,377 wounded in Gaza. On the Israeli side, the revised death toll from Hamas-led attacks stands at 1,139, with dozens of individuals still held captive in Gaza.

Military Updates
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited soldiers on the eastern front in Donetsk. He introduced Brigadier-General Andriy Hnatov as the new joint forces commander, emphasizing the importance of saving soldiers' lives while repelling Russian forces. Zelenskyy's video message was recorded in front of a sign for Pokrovsk, where recent Russian attacks killed five people and injured dozens.

In a related incident, five Lithuanians delivering aid in Pokrovsk were injured when their vehicle came under fire. One volunteer had a leg amputated, and all five are currently hospitalized.

Oleh Syniehubov, governor of the northeastern Kharkiv region, reported intense fighting in the border town of Vovchansk. He noted that several dozen Russian soldiers were trapped in an industrial facility, and that Russian aircraft were attacking the town, which is about 5 km from the border.

A Russian missile attack struck the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa, damaging an administrative building. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, according to regional governor Oleh Kiper.

Politics and Diplomacy
Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich, a US national, appeared in court, where he denied all allegations against him. The US has labeled his detention as wrongful, with the next hearing scheduled for August 13.

Russia expelled Carola Schneider, chief Moscow correspondent for Austrian broadcaster ORF, in retaliation for Austria revoking the accreditation of TASS's chief correspondent in Vienna.

The European Union announced new sanctions against Belarus to close loopholes in its sanctions against Russia. This marks the EU's 14th package of sanctions in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The US Justice Department charged 22-year-old Russian Amin Timovich Stigal with conspiring to hack and destroy computer systems in Ukraine and allied countries. A $10 million reward has been announced for information on his whereabouts.

NATO selected Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as its next secretary-general, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg. Rutte, a strong supporter of Ukraine, will begin his role on October 1.

Russian pranksters known as "Vovan and Lexus" tricked British Foreign Secretary David Cameron into a video call, making him believe he was speaking with former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. The UK foreign ministry acknowledged the call, though it did not confirm the video’s authenticity.

The European Union is expected to sign a security agreement with President Zelenskyy, outlining its commitment to assist Ukraine in nine security and defense areas. These include arms deliveries, military training, defense industry cooperation, and demining.

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