**Israel’s Military Operation in Gaza: A Descent into Chaos**
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, with the latest report from the Hamas-run health ministry stating that 67 people were killed by Israeli military fire while waiting for UN aid trucks. This tragic incident highlights the desperate situation facing civilians in the besieged territory.
According to eyewitnesses, a 25-truck convoy of aid from the UN World Food Programme encountered massive crowds of hungry civilians who came under gunfire. The IDF claimed it had fired a warning shot to remove an urgent threat, but denied the reported number of deaths. The Hamas ministry warned that hundreds were at imminent risk of death due to starvation.
**Hunger and Desperation**
The situation in Gaza is dire, with extreme hunger on the rise. The health ministry reported 18 deaths “due to famine” in the last 24 hours alone. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City was overwhelmed with casualties brought from northern Gaza, where Israeli fire killed dozens more. A woman outside the hospital told BBC Arabic that the entire population was dying, with children succumbing to hunger due to lack of food.
A resident of Gaza City, Qasem Abdul Khater, recounted a harrowing experience trying to obtain a flour bag, only to encounter a deadly crowd and Israeli snipers firing at random. “Dozens were martyred in front of my eyes, and no one could help anyone,” he said.
**International Condemnation**
The UN’s World Food Programme has condemned the violence against civilians seeking aid as “completely unacceptable.” The WFP reported that malnutrition had risen dramatically, with 90,000 women and children urgently needing treatment. Nearly one in three people were not eating for days.
In a statement posted on X, the WFP stated that the use of force against civilians was “indiscriminate” and “inacceptable.” This criticism comes as Israel continues its military operation in Gaza, which began as a retaliation to the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.
**Pope’s Plea for Peace**
On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV urged an immediate stop to the “barbarism of war” and warned against indiscriminate force. This call for peace comes days after an Israeli air strike destroyed Gaza’s sole Catholic Church, killing dozens of people.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, expressed deep regret for Israel’s actions, but no concrete steps have been taken to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
**A Desperate Situation**
The situation in Gaza is desperate, with tens of thousands of Palestinians displaced multiple times during Israel’s conflict with Hamas. The majority of the Strip’s two million residents have been forced to flee their homes, leaving behind everything.
As the international community watches on, it is imperative that Israel takes immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The world cannot afford to stand idly by while innocent civilians are killed and starved. It is time for peace, not war.
Read More @ www.bbc.com
