David Satterfield, the US special envoy for humanitarian issues, has warned that the risk of famine in northern Gaza remains “very high” despite an increase in aid admitted to the territory. The UN has raised concerns about obstacles to delivering and distributing aid in Gaza since Israel launched an offensive there six months ago.
The United Nations has called for a transparent and credible investigation into the mass graves discovered at two hospitals in Gaza that were raided by Israeli troops. U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk expressed horror at the destruction of the hospitals and the reported discovery of mass graves, emphasizing that hospitals are entitled to protection under international humanitarian law. The U.S. State Department has also expressed concern, while the Israeli military maintains that it exhumed bodies of Hamas hostages during its search for remains. Palestinian health officials say the hospital raids have devastated Gaza’s health sector amidst the ongoing conflict.
Dr. Mark Harrison’s lifelong dream of humanitarian work finally unfolded in Gaza, where he joined an inspiring local surgeon, Ahmed, to establish a plastic surgery service. Their mission faced the brutal challenges of war, with Ahmed’s hospital under attack and his family displaced. Despite these horrors, Ahmed and his team continued to provide tireless care for countless injured patients. Harrison returned to the UK, but his connection to Gaza remains strong, as he supports Ahmed remotely and plans a future mission to aid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Germany has announced plans to resume cooperation with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza following an independent review of its neutrality. This decision follows similar moves by Australia, Canada, Sweden, and Japan. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has redeployed two reserve brigades from the northern border to Gaza for defensive and tactical missions as it prepares for an offensive in Rafah. The redeployment comes amidst concerns over potential harm to civilians, with over half of Gaza’s population seeking refuge in Rafah. The region continues to face unrest, with Israel and the US pitted against Iran and allied militant groups, raising fears of a full-scale regional war.
The German government has announced its decision to resume cooperation with the UN Agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) in Gaza. This follows an investigation led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, which concluded that Israel’s accusations of UNRWA staff involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack were not substantiated. The German ministries urged UNRWA to implement the report’s recommendations for internal audit and project management oversight. Germany joins Australia, Canada, Sweden, and Japan in resuming cooperation with UNRWA in Gaza.
Reports have emerged of mass graves containing hundreds of Palestinian bodies, some stripped and tied, in hospitals raided by Israeli forces in Gaza. Authorities have recovered at least 310 bodies from one grave at Nasser Hospital, while another 30 have been found in two graves in Gaza City. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed horror and called for an independent investigation into the deaths, which may constitute war crimes.
An Israeli military strike on a home in southern Gaza claimed the lives of three family members and injured four others, according to Al Jazeera. Meanwhile, a bipartisan super-majority in the U.S. Congress approved a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, which includes $26.3 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid for civilians affected by conflict, especially in Gaza. Amidst the ongoing conflict, the UN expressed concern over reports of mass graves being discovered outside two Palestinian hospitals, with hundreds of bodies reportedly found. The organization emphasized the need for further investigations into potential human rights violations.
Abu Ubaida, the military spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades, issued a dire warning to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli public. Ubaida threatened to kill prisoners held in Gaza if Israel fails to uphold its commitments. The threat came in response to Israel’s recent airstrikes on Gaza, which killed dozens of people, including women and children.
The $95 billion package approved by the Senate on Tuesday includes $61 billion for Ukraine and U.S. weapons replenishment, $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid in Gaza, and $8 billion for U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
Cal Poly Humboldt in Northern California has closed after student protesters protesting Israel’s invasion of Gaza occupied a building on Monday. The protesters are demanding the university divest from Israel, drop charges against student organizers, and call for a ceasefire and end to the occupation of Palestine. All in-person classes and activities have been moved to a remote format due to the protest.
