The situation in Gaza remains dire as hundreds of vehicles carrying vital aid are waiting to be allowed into the territory. US President Biden has secured an agreement with Egypt to allow up to 20 lorries to enter Gaza, but aid agencies are warning that far more will be needed to address the urgent humanitarian crisis.
UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths has stated that approximately 100 lorries a day will be required to adequately address the needs of the people in Gaza. The current allocation falls significantly short of this requirement, highlighting the urgent need for more support.
Earlier, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, where he expressed the desire for Israel to be successful. However, the ongoing bombings by Israel and the resulting displacement of hundreds of thousands of people have further exacerbated the situation.
Gaza remains under siege, with Israel blocking the supply of essential resources such as water, electricity, food, and fuel across its border. This has only worsened the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas, the most serious escalation in decades, began on 7 October when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in the loss of over 1,400 lives. Since then, the health ministry in Gaza has reported that more than 3,700 people have been killed.
In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, clashes with Israeli troops have resulted in the deaths of six individuals, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Israeli forces entered the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarm, leading to ongoing fighting between them and Palestinian gunmen.
The Israeli military has reported the arrest of over 80 suspects, including 63 Hamas terror operatives, in overnight raids in the West Bank. In Nur Shams, five suspects have been arrested, and security forces continue to operate in the camp to thwart further acts of terror.
While the situation in the West Bank and Gaza remains volatile, efforts are being made to address the urgent need for aid. Egypt has agreed to reopen its border crossing with Gaza to facilitate the delivery of essential supplies. Diplomatic contacts are ongoing, with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi scheduled to host King Abdullah of Jordan today. Both Egypt and Jordan have a history of peaceful relations with Israel and have played significant mediation roles in previous conflicts in the region.
