Israel Intensifies Gaza City Bombardment Amid International Calls for Aid Access

Israel has intensified its airstrikes on Gaza City, targeting residential areas such as Zeitoun and Sabra. Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for Gaza's civil defence agency, reported that these areas have been subjected to three days of bombings and drone strikes, resulting in significant destruction to civilian homes and preventing residents from recovering the dead and injured.

In response to the escalating humanitarian crisis, the United Kingdom, European Union, Australia, Canada, and Japan issued a joint statement expressing concern over the situation in Gaza. They stated that "famine is unfolding in front of our eyes" and called for "immediate, permanent and concrete steps" to facilitate the entry of aid into the enclave. The statement also demanded an end to the use of lethal force near aid distribution sites and lorry convoys, where the United Nations reports that more than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed, mostly by the Israeli military.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has appealed to Israel to allow the stocking of medical supplies to address the "catastrophic" health situation in Gaza. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO's representative in the Palestinian territories, emphasized the urgency, stating, "We all hear about 'more humanitarian supplies are allowed in'—well it's not happening yet, or it's happening at a way too low a pace." He added, "We want to as quickly stock up hospitals. We currently cannot do that. We need to be able to get all essential medicines and medical supplies in."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to prepare for the occupation of Gaza City, aiming to dismantle the "two remaining Hamas strongholds" in the city and a central area around al-Mawasi. The Israeli government has not provided an exact timetable for the operation. Netanyahu outlined a three-step plan to increase aid in Gaza, including designating safe corridors for aid distribution and increasing air drops by Israeli forces and other partners.

On the ground, residents of Gaza City report relentless air attacks. Majed al-Hosary, a resident of Zeitoun, described the intensity of the strikes, stating, "With every strike, the ground shakes. There are martyrs under the rubble that no one can reach because the shelling hasn't stopped." The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported that 100 dead had been brought to hospitals across Gaza over the past 24 hours, including 31 people who were killed at aid sites. Additionally, five more people have died of malnutrition.

International criticism of Israel's actions has been mounting. Members of an international group of former leaders known as "The Elders" have described the situation in Gaza as an "unfolding genocide" and accused Israel of causing famine among its population. Following a visit to the Gaza border, Helen Clark and Mary Robinson stated, "What we saw and heard underlines our personal conviction that there is not only an unfolding, human-caused famine in Gaza. There is an unfolding genocide."