GAZA: Israel pounded the besieged Gaza Strip with air strikes and artillery fire on Wednesday after the US Congress approved a staggering $13 billion in military aid. At least 34,262 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the ongoing Israeli military bombardment in Gaza since October 7. The tally includes at least 79 deaths in the past 24 hours, Gaza’s health ministry reported.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz hailed the approval of the aid package by the US Senate. Tensions between the US and Israel have simmered amidst criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s stance on advancing troops into the southern city of Rafah, home to 1.5 million displaced Palestinians, many of whom seek refuge in makeshift shelters.
Fears mount over an imminent Israeli assault on Rafah, labeled by Israel as the “last” major Hamas stronghold. Aid organizations warn of dire consequences of Israeli invasion of Rafah, forecasting an “apocalyptic situation.”
Reports from Gaza indicate intensified Israeli air strikes targeting areas such as Rafah and the central Nuseirat refugee camp. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu remains steadfast in his commitment to attack Rafah.
Images from satellite technology reveal the emergence of new tent structures in southern Gaza, potentially indicative of preparations for displacement and military operations.
The situation has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights expressing horror over reports of mass graves discovered at Gaza’s major hospitals. Gaza’s medical infrastructure lies in ruins, exacerbating the challenge of treating both war casualties and patients with pre-existing conditions.
Amidst the chaos, calls for funding for the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA have intensified, as Gaza’s medical system struggles to cope with the overwhelming demand for care.
While some nations have renewed support for UNRWA, others, including the United States and Britain, have withheld funding pending perceived progress. In the occupied West Bank, violence continues to escalate, with the Israeli military reporting the killing of a woman near Hebron.
