Gaza Sees Its Largest Humanitarian Aid Delivery Yet Amid Rising Death Toll of Over 8,000 and Expanded Israeli Military Operations

On Sunday, Gaza received its most substantial humanitarian aid shipment since the inception of the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas. However, aid organizations argue that the delivered assistance is grossly inadequate, as civilians have resorted to looting warehouses for essential supplies like flour and hygiene products.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza announced that the conflict has resulted in more than 8,000 deaths, a majority of whom are women and minors. This marks an unparalleled toll in the protracted history of Israeli-Palestinian confrontations. On the Israeli side, over 1,400 deaths have been reported, predominantly civilians, since the initial outbreak of hostilities.

After experiencing severe communication disruptions due to intense Israeli bombardments, the region regained partial communication capabilities on Sunday. The population of 2.3 million in the beleaguered enclave had been largely isolated from external communication.

According to Wael Abo Omar, a spokesperson at the Rafah crossing, 33 aid trucks entered Gaza from Egypt on Sunday. Israel has so far permitted only a limited amount of aid to pass through.

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After inspecting the Rafah border crossing, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, labeled the civilian suffering as “deeply troubling.” He was unable to gain access to Gaza but cautioned both sides to adhere to international law. He termed Hamas’ initial attack on October 7 as a severe infringement of international humanitarian law, but refrained from directly accusing Israel of war crimes.

Thomas White, Gaza director for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), expressed concern over the breakdown of civil order following the warehouse lootings, describing the populace as “fearful, exasperated, and desperate.”

Israel is expected to allow more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, according to Israeli authorities. Elad Goren, head of civil affairs of COGAT, the Israeli defense body overseeing Palestinian civilian affairs, made a vague announcement regarding the establishment of a “humanitarian zone” near the southern city of Khan Younis but did not specify its location or the extent of aid that would be provided.

Healthcare facilities in Gaza are increasingly endangered, with residents near Shifa Hospital reporting that Israeli airstrikes have made access to the hospital challenging. The Israeli military accuses Hamas of using the hospital as a concealed command center, an allegation that Hamas refutes.

Hospitals in the region are grappling to maintain power for essential medical equipment, as Gaza’s lone power plant has ceased operations since the war’s commencement. The International Committee of the Red Cross expressed alarm at the bombing of medical facilities, stressing that hospitals should not be targeted under any circumstances.

As Israel continues its military operations, the death toll on both sides is anticipated to rise considerably, with confrontations taking place in densely populated areas.

This escalating situation has led to increased domestic pressure on Israel to negotiate the release of around 230 hostages taken by Hamas. In a meeting with families of the hostages, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said progress would not be achieved without exerting military pressure on Hamas.

Amid the ongoing strife, over 1.4 million individuals have fled their homes in Gaza, and roughly 1,800 are estimated to be trapped under rubble, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza.

Contributors to this report include correspondents based in Cairo, Beirut, and Jerusalem.

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More about Israel-Hamas conflict

• Full AP Coverage on Israel-Hamas Conflict
• UNRWA Official Website
• Gaza Health Ministry Reports
• International Criminal Court Statements on Israel-Hamas War
• Humanitarian Aid Efforts in Gaza
• Israeli Government Official Statements
• Hamas Official Communications
• U.S. National Security Adviser on Israel-Hamas Conflict
• International Committee of the Red Cross Updates on Gaza
• Latest News on Palestinian Casualties