- Israel set to intensify attacks on Gaza as Palestinian deaths rise
After 20 trucks bringing aid arrived in Gaza via the Rafah crossing, UN organizations appealed for a truce and unrestricted humanitarian access across the enclave.
“We demand a humanitarian ceasefire and immediate, unrestricted humanitarian access throughout Gaza so that humanitarian actors can reach civilians in need, save lives, and prevent further human suffering.”
“Flows of humanitarian aid must be scaled up and sustained to allow all Gazans to maintain their dignity,” the UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO said in a joint statement.
The Egyptian Red Crescent, which distributes aid from several UN agencies, entered Gaza’s Rafah border crossing from Egypt on Saturday.
Following US President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel, Washington stated that an agreement had been reached to allow 20 trucks to enter through Egypt.
However, humanitarian organizations called the announcement “a drop in the ocean.”
Israel objected to supplying supplies, claiming no aid would reach Hamas fighters.
In a statement on Saturday, Hamas’ media office stated that the trucks “carry medicine, medical supplies, and a limited amount of food supplies (canned goods).”
Food and medicine are critical, but water and fuel are also critical. Over one million internally displaced individuals in Gaza face a grave humanitarian scenario, with scant access to necessities.
Palestinians in the West Bank claim the aid delivery is a “PR stunt” by the international community to demonstrate its concern for people in Gaza, but that the quantities are insufficient to meet the demands on the ground.
Cindy McCain, executive director of the World Food Programme, hailed the humanitarian convoy’s arrival in Gaza but stressed that 20 trucks of aid are insufficient.
Israel will intensify its attacks beginning Saturday night – Military spokesperson for Israel
Despite appeals for a ceasefire from multiple organizations, including the United Nations, the Israeli government has stated that it will increase its attacks on Gaza beginning Saturday night.
According to Reuters, Israel intends to intensify its attacks on Gaza beginning Saturday night.
In answer to a question on a possible ground invasion into Gaza, Israeli Rear Adm Daniel Hagari told reporters on Saturday, “We will deepen our attacks to minimize the dangers to our forces in the next stages of the war.” Beginning today, we will intensify our attacks.
“Reuters reports that Hagari repeated his calls for Gaza residents to evacuate south.”
In Gaza, the number of casualties is increasing.
In Gaza, the death toll has grown to 4,137, including 1,756 children and 967 women. Another 13,561 persons were injured. According to the health ministry, 70% of Israeli attack casualties are children, women, and the elderly.
According to the government, seven hospitals and 25 healthcare centers are closed due to fuel scarcity.
A considerable number of people are still trapped beneath the rubble. Approximately 1,400 people have been killed in Israel, most of whom were slain during the Hamas strikes on October 7.