Egypt's top diplomat has made a heartfelt plea for an immediate escalation in humanitarian assistance to Gaza through land crossings. This appeal comes as hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the enclave are facing severe food shortages, with a quarter of the population on the brink of starvation.
The international community has expressed frustration over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel's restrictions on aid deliveries. Efforts to deliver food by sea and recent airdrops in northern Gaza underscore the urgency of the situation.
Israel has announced plans to relocate 1.4 million displaced Palestinians in Gaza's southern city of Rafah to central Gaza ahead of a military offensive. The move aims to target Hamas militants in Rafah, but humanitarian groups warn of a potential catastrophe in the densely populated area.
The Health Ministry in Gaza reported that over 31,000 Palestinians have been killed, with a significant number being women and children. The ministry highlighted the dire conditions in Gaza, where most of the population has been displaced, leading to widespread starvation.
Amid the conflict, a former national team player was killed in an Israeli airstrike, adding to the escalating violence in the region. The situation remains tense as the holy month of Ramadan unfolds, with heightened Israeli-Palestinian tensions and calls for attacks from militant groups.
Efforts are underway to establish a temporary port off the coast of Gaza to facilitate aid shipments. However, Egypt's foreign minister emphasized the immediate need for increased aid through land routes, citing the inefficiency of sea shipments and airdrops.
President Joe Biden has ordered the construction of a floating pier to expedite aid delivery, but the process is expected to take weeks. Egypt stressed the importance of holding Israel accountable for restricting aid passage and urged for the opening of all border crossings with Gaza to alleviate the crisis.
