Israel launches airstrikes on Gaza amid UN warning of uninhabitable conditions

Israel carried out airstrikes in Gaza on Saturday, as the United Nations sounded the alarm over the territory’s dire living conditions after three months of intense conflict. Reports from AFP correspondents confirmed Israeli strikes in Rafah, where a significant number of people sought refuge.

Civilians are bearing the brunt of the conflict, with the UN highlighting an escalating humanitarian crisis, marked by the looming threat of famine and the spread of diseases. Residents, like Abu Mohammed, who fled to Rafah, describe Gaza’s future as “dark and gloomy and very difficult.”

UN Humanitarian Chief Martin Griffiths declared on Friday that “Gaza has simply become uninhabitable,” with the UN’s children’s agency warning of a deadly cycle threatening over 1.1 million children in Gaza due to clashes, malnutrition, and a lack of health services.

Israeli forces, engaged in the conflict across the Gaza Strip, are on high alert near the Lebanon border following the killing of a top Hamas commander in Beirut. Although Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the strike, a US defense official confirmed its involvement to AFP.

The conflict, triggered by a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, has resulted in a significant death toll, with civilians being the primary victims. The situation is worsening, with continuous Israeli bombardment and ground invasion, leaving many areas in ruins.

Israeli forces struck various cities, including Khan Yunis and Rafah, resulting in casualties. The Gaza health ministry reported 162 deaths in a 24-hour period, emphasizing the grim reality faced by the region.

As the conflict persists, families continue to flee violence, seeking safety in overloaded cars and on foot. The humanitarian catastrophe is exacerbated by epidemics, overcrowded hospitals, and a severe shortage of essentials.

International efforts are underway to address the escalating crisis, with top Western diplomats engaging in diplomatic initiatives. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, currently in Turkey, is set to discuss the Gaza war with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, visited Lebanon to address various aspects of the situation surrounding Gaza.

Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, also plans to visit the region, focusing on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Amid fears of a wider conflagration, the recent killing of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Aruri has escalated tensions further. Israel conducted fresh airstrikes against Hezbollah targets near the border, prompting concerns about the region’s stability.