New this morning, the U.S. has proposed a temporary ceasefire in Gaza through a U.N. Security Council draft resolution. The U.S. has cautioned Israel against its planned ground offensive in Tarafa, where over 1.3 million Palestinians are seeking shelter. This proposal follows the U.S.'s rejection of an Algerian draft calling for an immediate ceasefire, with a vote scheduled later today. The U.S. has previously opposed ceasefire calls. According to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health, more than 29,000 people have died in Gaza since the October 7th attacks.
Israel's war cabinet minister, Benny Gantz, has warned that if hostages are not returned by Ramadan, fighting will extend to the Rafah area. Despite these threats, Israel has not disclosed details of a potential civilian evacuation of Rafah, prompting residents to flee to central Gaza, only to face continued airstrikes.
Recent Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza have resulted in numerous casualties, including children. The hospital in central Gaza has been inundated with victims, with many children in critical condition. Witnesses report that victims had fled from Rafah, fearing an impending military offensive.
In the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on a family home in central Gaza, the search for survivors continues. The dire humanitarian situation in northern Gaza is also coming to light, with reports of severe malnutrition among children. U.N. agencies reveal that one in six children under two in northern Gaza are acutely malnourished, and 64% of Gaza's population overall are surviving on just one meal a day.
