Israel Resumes Aid to Gaza, UN Convoy Attacked, WHO Concerned | Latest Updates

Israel Resumes Aid Delivery to Gaza, but Insufficient Amounts Remain

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the dispatch of aid through the Israel-Gaza Kerem Shalom border was halted for four days and has now resumed. On Friday, a total of 81 trucks carrying food and medicine entered the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing in Israel and the Rafah crossing in Egypt. However, OCHA warns that the amount of relief supplies entering the devastated Palestinian area is still woefully inadequate. The closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing from December 25 to 28 due to drone attacks and security incidents, including the unexpected transfer of prisoners and casualties by Israel, has exacerbated the situation.

Israeli Soldiers Open Fire on UN Aid Convoy in Gaza

Martin Griffiths, the UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Aid, condemned the incident in which Israeli soldiers fired upon a UN aid convoy in Gaza. The convoy, consisting of seven UN vehicles, including two armored vehicles marked with “UN,” came under attack. The Israeli military stated that they are investigating the incident and denied intentionally targeting the convoy. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that the convoy had requested a change in route, but the timeframe between the request and the attack remains unclear.

Israel Blames UNRWA for Gap in Humanitarian Aid Delivery within Gaza

Philip Lazarini, the representative of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the Middle East, has called on media organizations to verify the claims made by Israeli officials blaming UNRWA for the delivery gap in humanitarian aid to Gaza. Lazarini stated that Israeli officials are generating baseless misinformation by implying or directly mentioning UNRWA’s responsibility for the gap in aid delivery. The Israeli government spokesperson criticized UNRWA, describing the UN’s humanitarian mechanism as a “miserable failure” and accusing UNRWA of concealing Hamas’ seizure of aid in Gaza.

WHO Expresses Concern over the Spread of Infectious Diseases in Gaza

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed significant concerns about the spread of infectious diseases in Gaza. With hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced and many seeking refuge in overcrowded shelters and medical facilities, WHO has reported cases of respiratory infections, particularly among children under five, as well as cases of cholera, typhoid, measles, skin rashes, acute jaundice syndrome, and meningitis. WHO and its partners are continuously working to support disease surveillance, control efforts, and improve access to safe water, food, sanitation, and hygiene services.

South Africa Files Lawsuit against Israel for Alleged Mass Killings in Gaza

South Africa has submitted a lawsuit to the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of committing mass killings during its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. South Africa claims that Israel’s actions and omissions constitute a mass slaughter with the intention of exterminating the entire Palestinian population. Israel has rejected South Africa’s claims, alleging that South Africa is demanding the destruction of the Israeli state and asserting that the claims lack factual and legal basis. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed South Africa’s move to initiate proceedings regarding the allegations of mass killings.

Israel Expands Offensive in Gaza, Prompting Concern from UN Officials

The Israeli military has announced an expansion of its operations in the southern Khan Yunis area of Gaza, targeting Hamas infrastructure. The IDF has destroyed tunnels in the vicinity of Gaza City, including an apartment building believed to be a hiding place for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. However, UN officials have expressed concern about the impact on civilians in Gaza. Over 150,000 residents have been warned to evacuate, yet even those who have sought refuge in shelters are still facing danger. The UNRWA reported that at least 308 people have died among those seeking shelter since the recent conflict began.

Biden Administration Approves Sale of Military Equipment to Israel

The Biden administration has granted approval, bypassing Congress, for the sale of military equipment to Israel for the second time this month. Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, has urgently authorized the immediate transfer of “155mm munitions” worth $147.5 million. This decision follows the rapid sale of thousands of military items to Israel. The US administration continues to emphasize the need for Israel to comply with international humanitarian law and take all possible measures to prevent harm to civilians.

Israel Claims Destruction of Hamas Leader’s Hideout and Tunnel System

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have claimed to have destroyed the hiding place of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and a network of tunnels in Gaza. The IDF’s 14th Reserve Brigade combat team demolished an apartment building near Gaza City, which was part of a complex tunnel network used by senior Hamas officials. The tunnels contained electrical networks, ventilation and sewage facilities, and prayer rooms. The IDF acknowledges that independent verification of these claims is not possible, and CNN has not been able to independently verify these allegations.