Israel Halts Aid to Gaza as Military Operations Intensify

Israeli authorities announced plans to slow or halt humanitarian aid into parts of Gaza as military operations escalate. The decision follows an explosion targeting an armored vehicle, which wounded seven Israeli soldiers in Gaza City on Friday night. This incident occurred in the Zeitoun neighborhood, a site of intensified Israeli military activity in recent weeks.

Reports from Arab media, including Al Jazeera, indicated that Hamas attempted to kidnap Israeli soldiers during the explosion, claims the Israeli military has dismissed as false. In a significant shift, Israel declared Gaza City a “dangerous combat zone” on Friday, effectively ending the daily humanitarian pauses designed to alleviate the ongoing hunger crisis. Gaza is currently experiencing severe famine due to an Israeli blockade that has restricted the flow of food and medical supplies into the territory.

The Israeli Defense Minister approved plans to occupy Gaza City last week, despite widespread international and domestic opposition. The conflict, ongoing for the past 23 months, has resulted in the deaths of over 63,000 individuals, with the war ignited after a Hamas-led attack in southern Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages taken.

As tensions rise, Abu Obeida, a spokesperson for Hamas’s military wing, warned that Israel’s plans to occupy Gaza City could heighten the likelihood of capturing Israeli soldiers, further endangering the lives of remaining hostages. In preparation for its offensive, the Israeli military is also seeking to forcibly displace Gaza City residents to southern areas of Gaza.

Intensifying Bombardments and Humanitarian Crisis

Israeli bombardments have escalated in recent days, with air strikes reported in the Zeitoun and al-Nasr neighborhoods of Gaza City. According to Gaza’s health authorities, at least 62 Palestinians were killed across Gaza within the last 24 hours, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. The United Nations reported that over 23,000 residents have fled Gaza City, which is home to nearly half of Gaza’s two million population.

Mirjana Spoljaric, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, stated that ensuring the safety of residents during a mass displacement would be impossible under current conditions. She emphasized that no area in Gaza could accommodate such a vast number of displaced individuals, given the critical shortages of food and shelter.

Gaza’s health ministry reported that within the past 24 hours, ten people died due to starvation or malnutrition, including three children. Since the beginning of the war in October 2023, 332 individuals have succumbed to starvation in Gaza, with most fatalities occurring since July.

In light of the worsening humanitarian crisis, an Israeli official informed the Associated Press that Israel will soon slow aid into northern Gaza as its offensive in Gaza City progresses. This includes halting airdropped aid and reducing the number of aid trucks entering northern regions, despite UN reports indicating that current aid levels remain insufficient.

International Response and Tensions

The ongoing blockade and military operations have prompted a global outcry, with six European foreign ministers condemning Israel’s actions on Friday. Several EU member states, including Ireland and Spain, have called for the suspension of the bloc’s free trade agreement with Israel, although countries such as Germany and Hungary oppose this measure.

Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, expressed skepticism about any potential measures against Israel due to internal divisions within the EU. “I’m not very optimistic, and today we are definitely not going to adopt decisions,” she commented during a meeting in Denmark. The EU’s inability to reach a consensus on a response underscores the complexities of the situation.

As the EU deliberates, the United States has taken steps to restrict the travel of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, denying him access to the upcoming UN General Assembly. This unprecedented action includes the revocation of visas for approximately 80 Palestinian officials, drawing international condemnation. Vice President of the Palestinian Authority, Hussein al-Sheikh, characterized the decision as a violation of international law.

EU foreign ministers have urged the U.S. to reconsider its stance, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez describing the decision as “unjust” and expressing solidarity with Abbas during a recent phone call. Palestine, as a permanent observer state at the UN, has the right to participate in the organization’s proceedings, adding further complexity to the diplomatic landscape.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the international community watches closely, grappling with the urgent need for a resolution that addresses both humanitarian concerns and the ongoing conflict.