GAZA CITY: Heavy Israeli bombardment rocked besieged Gaza on Wednesday as aid agencies warned of looming famine, a day after a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire was blocked by a US veto. Washington sent top White House official Brett McGurk to Cairo for renewed talks involving mediators and Hamas.
As truce talks resume in Cairo, the war-torn Gaza Strip remains gripped by hunger and heavy fighting, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. The efforts for an immediate ceasefire faced a setback as a UN Security Council resolution was blocked by a US veto, drawing global concern over the escalating civilian death toll and looming famine.
The besieged Gaza Strip, where 2.4 million people reside, has been enduring relentless Israeli bombardment since October 7, resulting in widespread devastation and a critical shortage of essential supplies. Aid agencies warn of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe, with the UN World Food Programme forced to halt deliveries in north Gaza due to violence and chaos.
Israeli airstrikes continue to pound Gaza, with the death toll rising to 103 overnight, according to the health ministry in the territory. Of particular concern is the southern Rafah area, where 1.4 million people are living in fear of attack by nearby Israeli ground troops.
Despite international efforts to broker a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains adamant on continuing the military campaign until all Palestinian resistance is quelled and the remaining hostages, including around 30 feared dead, are freed. The prospect of an extended conflict into the Muslim holy month of Ramadan looms should the hostages not be released by March 10.
Devastation Caused by Heavy Israeli Bombardment in Gaza
The devastation wrought by the conflict is described as “indescribable” by the World Health Organization, particularly around Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, where infrastructure lies in ruins and medical facilities are overwhelmed.
In Cairo, renewed talks involving mediators and Palestinian resistance group Hamas are underway, with the aim of securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages. However, a viable agreement has yet to be reached despite proposals from Qatar and Egypt.
The situation remains precarious, with no immediate end to the bloodshed in sight. Amidst mounting international condemnation, Israel faces accusations of “genocide” from Colombian President Gustavo Petro, further intensifying the diplomatic fallout from the protracted conflict.
In the occupied West Bank, tensions remain high as Israeli forces clash with Palestinian militants, underscoring the broader regional ramifications of the Gaza crisis.
