Israel’s Evacuation Orders Cover Two-Thirds of Gaza Strip, U.N. Monitors Say
The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip continues to worsen as Israel’s evacuation orders now cover two-thirds of the territory, according to U.N. humanitarian monitors. The affected area, which spans 246 square kilometers (95 square miles), was home to 1.78 million Palestinians, accounting for 77% of Gaza’s population before the Israel-Hamas war erupted on October 7.
The situation in Gaza has reached a critical point, with more than half of the population, or 2.3 million people, crammed into the town of Rafah on the border with Egypt and surrounding areas. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that a quarter of Gaza’s residents are starving, and 85% of the population has been driven from their homes, with hundreds of thousands surviving in makeshift tent camps.
The Health Ministry in Gaza has reported a known Palestinian death toll of 27,478 people after nearly four months of war. The majority of these casualties are civilians, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict on innocent lives.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has returned to the Middle East in an effort to broker a deal for the release of approximately 100 Israeli hostages and establish a postwar plan for Gaza. Blinken has been meeting with key U.S. allies, including Egypt and Qatar, who often serve as mediators between Israel and Hamas. This marks Blinken’s fifth visit to the region since the war broke out.
Israel’s military has also announced an investigation into possible violations of Israeli or international law committed by Israeli troops on October 7, the first day of the war against Hamas. The investigation will focus on incidents that occurred during a hostage standoff with Hamas militants, where Israeli residents of a kibbutz in southern Israel may have been killed by Israeli forces. The army has emphasized that the investigation will be conducted independently outside of the army’s chain of command.
Meanwhile, Israeli protesters continue to block humanitarian aid destined for Gaza, demanding the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas. These protesters argue that aid should be used as leverage to secure the release of the hostages. Aid groups have expressed concern over the insufficient amount of aid entering Gaza, even when the crossing is fully operational. U.N. officials estimate that one in four Palestinians in Gaza are currently starving.
In a separate development, Argentina’s conservative new president, Javier Milei, has visited Israel after pledging to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Milei, who was elected in November, has been warmly welcomed by Israeli officials. His visit has drawn comparisons to former U.S. President Donald Trump, who also relocated the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.
The Israeli military has reported another incident in the West Bank, where soldiers shot and killed an armed Palestinian man near the city of Nablus. The military has stated that the man posed a threat to the soldiers, but no further details about the incident have been provided.
As the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate, it is clear that immediate action is needed to address the humanitarian crisis and bring about a lasting ceasefire. The international community must work together to find a peaceful resolution and ensure the well-being of the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.