Israeli strikes in Rafah killed 13 people, including nine children, as the United States was set to approve additional military aid to Israel. Israel has been carrying out air raids on Rafah, where many people from Gaza have sought refuge. Despite international calls for restraint, Israel has vowed to expand its ground offensive to the city on the border with Egypt. The U.S. approved a $26 billion aid package, including $9 billion in humanitarian assistance for Gaza. Palestinian medics at the Kuwaiti Hospital received the bodies of those killed, including a pregnant woman whose baby was saved after she was killed in an airstrike.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in over 34,000 Palestinian deaths, devastated Gaza’s cities, and forced 80% of the population to flee their homes. The ongoing war has sparked regional unrest and raised fears of all-out war between Israel and Iran. Tensions have also risen in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Palestinian casualties continue to mount. The war in Gaza was triggered by a raid into southern Israel by Hamas and other militants, resulting in numerous civilian casualties and abductions. Thousands of Israelis are calling for new elections to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The Gaza Health Ministry reports that at least 34,049 Palestinians have been killed and 76,901 wounded in the conflict, with a majority being children and women. However, the real toll is likely higher due to bodies being trapped beneath rubble or in inaccessible areas. Israel attributes civilian casualties to the militants fighting in residential neighborhoods but rarely comments on individual strikes. The military claims to have killed over 13,000 Hamas fighters. The war has left Gaza on the brink of famine and has resulted in significant destruction and displacement in the region.
The situation in Gaza has drawn international concern and calls for a ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and suffering. The U.S. aid package includes funding for humanitarian assistance to Gaza, but the conflict shows no signs of abating. Israeli military operations continue to target Gaza, with a focus on Rafah, despite the high number of civilian casualties. The ongoing violence has deepened divisions in the region and raised fears of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The toll on civilian lives, particularly children and women, underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict to prevent further devastation and loss.
