The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to impact lives across the region. On Sunday, the Qatar Red Crescent and UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) signed an agreement to provide $4.5 million in aid to over 4,400 Palestinian workers and patients stranded in the West Bank. This financial assistance is crucial for those who have been unable to return to Gaza since the start of the Israeli offensive last October, leaving them facing immense hardship and displacement.
“Thousands of Palestine refugees from Gaza remain trapped in the West Bank, trapped in this crisis situation, stranded from their loved ones and livelihoods,” UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated, highlighting the desperate situation these individuals face. The Israeli blockade of Gaza, imposed in 2007, has severely restricted movement in and out of the territory. This has forced many Palestinians to seek essential services like medical care, education, or employment in the West Bank, leaving them vulnerable when violence escalates and borders close.
Adding to the volatile situation, a shooting incident occurred at the border crossing between the West Bank and Jordan, claiming the lives of three Israelis. According to Israeli officials, the gunman, identified as retired Jordanian soldier Maher al-Jazi, approached the Allenby Bridge Crossing from the Jordanian side and opened fire at Israeli security forces before being killed in a shootout. Jordan is currently investigating the incident. While Jordan has maintained peace with Israel since 1994, it remains critical of Israel’s policies toward Palestinians and has witnessed widespread protests against the Gaza war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, linking it to the broader conflict with Iran and allied militant groups such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Israeli-occupied West Bank has seen a surge in violence since Hamas launched its offensive on October 7th, triggering a protracted war in Gaza. Israel has responded with frequent military raids into Palestinian residential areas, leading to further escalation and a rise in attacks on both sides.
The violence also claimed the life of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, an American-Turkish woman killed during a demonstration against Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The White House expressed its “deep concern” and called for an investigation, while Eygi’s family has requested an independent inquiry.
The conflict in Gaza remains unresolved, with a weeklong ceasefire in November resulting in the release of most of the hostages taken by Hamas during its initial attack, but leaving around 100 still in captivity. The United States, Qatar, and Egypt have been engaged in ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire and secure the return of the hostages, but these negotiations have repeatedly stalled. The situation continues to be highly volatile, with no clear path towards a resolution.
