UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, describing it as a “killing field” due to ongoing bombardments and restrictions on aid. Guterres rejected Israel’s proposal to control aid deliveries, emphasizing that civilians are trapped in an “endless death loop”. According to reports, no aid has entered Gaza since March 2nd because of border crossing closures.
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These statements come as French President Emmanuel Macron visited Egypt to advocate for the lifting of the blockade on aid deliveries to Gaza. Macron, along with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II, have called for an immediate return to a ceasefire.
Adding to the crisis, a new video has surfaced showing Israeli soldiers fatally shooting 15 emergency workers in Gaza. The Palestine Red Crescent Society released the footage, which contradicts the IDF’s initial claim that the vehicles were traveling without lights and posed a threat. The video shows clearly marked ambulances with flashing lights and emergency workers in reflective clothing. The IDF has stated it will thoroughly examine the incident.
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Israeli strikes continue across Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 32 Palestinians, mostly women and children. Strikes hit various locations, including the Jabaliya refugee camp and near a bakery in Gaza City. Just yesterday, at least 43 Palestinians were reported killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza, including on makeshift tents sheltering forcibly displaced families.
Amid these developments, Israel’s army has launched a new ground offensive east of Gaza City to pressure Hamas to accept its terms for a ceasefire. The UN reports that two-thirds of Gaza is under Israeli displacement orders or in no-go zones, with aid supplies blocked for over a month. The current conflict was triggered by the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.
