Successive evacuation orders issued by Israel in Gaza have led to the displacement of 90% of the region’s 2.1 million residents since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war in October, reports the top U.N. humanitarian official for the Palestinian territory. The ongoing conflict has caused significant damage to hospitals and water infrastructure, resulting in overcrowded living conditions and the circulation of the polio virus in Gaza for the first time in 25 years.
Efforts to end the conflict in Gaza are underway, with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris stating that both she and President Joe Biden are actively working towards a resolution. A delegation from Israel has convened in Cairo to resume discussions aimed at securing a cease-fire agreement, with mediation from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. Key points of contention include Israel’s insistence on lasting control over two strategic corridors in Gaza.
In recent developments, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have reportedly claimed the lives of at least seven individuals, including a child and several Hezbollah militants. The German airline Lufthansa has announced the extension of flight suspensions to some destinations in the Middle East, while also planning to resume services to Amman and Irbil.
The World Health Organization has confirmed that a Palestinian infant in Gaza has contracted polio, with the child experiencing partial paralysis. WHO, in collaboration with the Palestinian Health Ministry and UNICEF, is set to launch two rounds of vaccinations to mitigate the spread of the virus, calling for humanitarian pauses in the conflict to facilitate the vaccination efforts.
Despite ongoing mediation efforts, fighting in Gaza persists, with casualties reported in various regions. Israeli military operations continue in response to attacks from militants in Gaza. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris reiterated the commitment to work towards ending the conflict, emphasizing the need for a cease-fire and the release of hostages taken during previous raids. The United Nations has raised concerns about the displacement of civilians in Gaza due to evacuation orders and the impact on humanitarian operations in the region.
