Israel has announced that 15 trucks carrying essential aid have entered northern Gaza, amidst warnings from aid organizations about the potential for famine resulting from an ongoing Israeli military offensive. The trucks, which entered Gaza on Wednesday, were delivering supplies sent by the United Arab Emirates, as reported by COGAT, the military body responsible for aid deliveries to the region. The contents of the trucks included food, water, hygiene supplies, shelter materials, and medical assistance. However, confirmation from U.N. agencies regarding the successful delivery of this aid has not yet been made.
For the past month, Israeli forces have been tightly encircling northern Gaza, claiming that Hamas militants have been regrouping in those areas. This prolonged military campaign has triggered another wave of displaced civilians, leading experts to warn that famine is imminent or may already be occurring. In a report issued on Thursday, Human Rights Watch accused Israel of perpetrating war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, citing forced displacements that could be classified as ethnic cleansing. According to the report, civilians have been killed while attempting to evacuate or in designated humanitarian zones, where countless individuals are crowded into inadequate tent camps.
In addition, Israel has been escalating airstrikes deeper into Lebanon since September in its conflict with Hezbollah. So far, reports indicate that the war against Hamas in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 43,000 individuals, with more than half identified as women and children, as stated by Palestinian health officials. These officials do not provide differentiation between civilians and combatants in their casualty figures. The conflict began when Palestinian militants launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, primarily among civilians, and the abduction of 250 others. Following this, Hezbollah initiated hostilities against Israel starting October 8, reporting over 3,200 fatalities and more than 14,200 injuries in Lebanon since then, according to the country’s Health Ministry.
In Syria, state media are reporting explosions near Damascus and Homs, indicating possible Israeli airstrikes. The Syrian state news agency SANA mentioned that air defenses were activated against a “hostile target” south of Homs on Thursday, but further details were not provided. Later, another report mentioned an explosion near Damascus, without clarity on its cause. Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes in Syria, primarily targeting Hezbollah operatives and officials connected to Iranian-supported groups.
Shifting focus to Gaza, Israel’s military body, COGAT, noted that on Wednesday, 15 trucks carrying aid arrived in northern Gaza, a move that comes amid concerns from aid organizations regarding the potential onset of famine due to the ongoing military offensive. This recent shipment from the United Arab Emirates included necessary food and water, as well as medical supplies and hygiene equipment. Nevertheless, U.N. agencies have not yet verified whether these supplies reached their intended locations within Gaza.
Over the past week, the U.N. reported that although aid trucks had entered northern Gaza, they faced obstacles in reaching their final destinations due to movement restrictions imposed by Israel and the overwhelming demand from hungry civilians taking supplies from the trucks. The U.S. administration had previously urged Israel to enhance its aid efforts after a significant drop in aid levels, threatening a reduction in military assistance if responses did not improve. Recently, however, the White House backed off from this stance, citing some advancements while stating there would be no reductions in military support, despite assertions from international aid organizations that Israel had not met the U.S. expectations for aid delivery.
Human Rights Watch has levelled serious allegations against Israel, claiming that its actions constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Their recent report highlights the extent of forced displacements and emphasizes the severe negative consequences on civilian lives due to Israeli evacuation commands, which have resulted in civilian deaths during evacuations and in areas designated as humanitarian zones where many are forced into inadequate living conditions. The organization has called on global leaders to halt the provision of weapons to Israel, referencing a July opinion from the International Court of Justice which deemed Israel’s presence in Palestinian territories illegal. Their investigation included interviews with displaced Palestinians and an analysis of evacuation orders and satellite imagery.
As a result of the ongoing military offensive, more than 43,000 Palestinians are reported deceased, predominantly women and children, with local health officials noting that around 90% of the population has been displaced at some point. Many individuals have faced displacements multiple times throughout the conflict. Ongoing assessments by U.N. officials indicate that the Israeli campaign has severely damaged or destroyed roughly two-thirds of residential structures and other infrastructure in Gaza. Israeli authorities maintain that they do not intentionally target civilians, attributing civilian casualties to the tactics employed by Hamas, which they claim operates from within civilian areas.
In another regional development, the U.S. military has confirmed it conducted a series of strikes aimed at Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Utilizing both U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy aircraft, including F-35C stealth fighter jets, the strikes were executed over the weekend. Video footage released by the military showed a drone strike on a mobile missile launcher, highlighting the threat the Houthis pose to international vessels in key maritime routes. In response to recent attacks against U.S. Navy destroyers, these operations were intended to mitigate threats and protect regional allies. The Houthis’ recent attacks have included attempts against U.S. destroyers in the Red Sea, which American forces reported successfully thwarted.