After the delivery of an aid convoy turned bloody on Thursday in Gaza City, killing 115 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, Biden said the event would complicate negotiations on a possible cessation of fighting that would allow the release of these hostages in exchange for prisoners. Palestinians.
Thursday's incident drawn worldwide condemnationwith France, Italy, Germany and United kingdom Calling for an investigation. After crowds overwhelmed the aid convoy, Israeli officials blamed the stampede for the casualties. But officials in Gaza, in accounts confirmed by eyewitnesses and doctors, blamed Israeli fire.
Humanitarian aid is scarce in the northern part of Gaza, where relief organizations warn of impending famine. With access to the Strip restricted, the United States announced on Friday that it would begin airdropping aid into Gaza, a costly and logistically complex tactic that Jordan, France, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have already followed, and which Canada said it was also considering. .
“Innocent people have been caught up in a terrible war unable to feed their families, and you saw the response when they tried to get aid,” Biden said Friday as he announced the airdrop plan.
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A UN statement said the “worst fears of famine” had been realised After the Ministry of Health in Gaza announced the death of 10 children due to malnutrition and dehydration in northern Gaza. WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier described the move as a “very sad threshold” in the statement and noted that “unfortunately the unofficial numbers are expected to be higher.”
Hamas said on Friday that seven Israeli hostages were killed as a result of Israeli air strikes in Gaza. According to the Israeli government, 253 people are believed to have been kidnapped during the Hamas attacks on October 7. In total, 112 hostages were released, and before Hamas's latest announcement, Israeli government figures indicated that 99 hostages were still alive in Gaza. The Israeli army did not respond to a request for comment.
The European Union said it will release 50 million euros ($54 million) to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) next week. After several countries, including the United States, halted funding following allegations from Israel that some of its employees were involved in the October 7 Hamas attacks. EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell He praised The United Nations “continued its efforts to investigate these allegations” and called on “the Israeli authorities to provide evidence.” He said that this step recognizes UNRWA as an “indispensable actor.”
At least 30,228 people were killed and 71,377 injured in Gaza. Since the start of the war, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel estimates that about 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas attack on October 7, and says that 242 soldiers have been killed since the start of its military operation in Gaza.
