Local medics reported more than 500 deaths in the past eight days. The military, which on Monday ordered residents of Khan Younis to flee toward the coast ahead of an “unprecedented attack,” had no immediate comment.
Gaza’s death toll has topped 53,000 and virtually the entire 2.3 million-strong population has been displaced since Israel launched its campaign after Hamas gunmen killed about 1,200 people and seized 251 hostages in southern Israel in October 2023.
Aid still trickling in
After a March 2 Israeli blockade halted most supplies, a U.N.-backed monitor warned of looming famine.
Israel let nine relief trucks enter on Monday and approved about 100 on Tuesday—far below the 500-truck daily minimum the U.N. says Gaza needs.
“Everything’s empty,” said UNRWA spokesperson Louise Wateridge, speaking from a Jordan warehouse stocked with food for 200,000 people that “could be in Gaza in hours.”
Diplomatic fallout
Leaders of Britain, France and Canada warned on Monday of “concrete actions” unless Israel halts operations and lifts aid restrictions. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Paris is among countries weighing a review of the EU-Israel association accord.
Relations between Israel and France have soured as Paris considers recognizing a Palestinian state, a step fiercely opposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who insists Israel “will continue to defend itself […] until total victory” and aims to control all of Gaza.
Hamas says it will free hostages only if Israel ends the war and releases Palestinian prisoners. Israel insists it can liberate the captives and destroy Hamas through force.
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Source: Reuters, The Guardian, AP News, FRANCE24