Israel expands military operation in Gaza, aid access becoming more difficult

• Israel expands military operation in Gaza, focusing on southern areas.

• UN Security Council adopts resolution to increase aid to Gaza.

• US supports resolution but abstains due to lack of Hamas condemnation.

Israel military's ground operations in a location given as Gaza

Reuters

Israel continues to press ahead with its plans to expand its military operation in Gaza, despite facing pressure to scale back the offensive. The IDF spokesperson has announced that the campaign will widen to new areas, with a particular focus on southern Gaza. This decision has raised concerns about the impact on humanitarian aid reaching the region.

In response to the ongoing crisis, the United Nations Security Council has finally adopted a long-awaited resolution. The resolution calls for an increase in aid to Gaza, but it does not condemn Hamas, resulting in the US abstaining from supporting the measure. The negotiations for this resolution have been arduous, with countless hours spent trying to balance the interests of all parties involved.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society has reported receiving 70 aid trucks on Friday through the Rafah border crossing in Egypt. Additionally, Israel has begun allowing some aid trucks to enter Gaza from the Karem Shalom crossing. However, the number of trucks entering Gaza per day remains significantly lower than before the conflict.

President Biden expressed profound sadness over the death of an Israeli-American hostage, Gad Hagi, who was held captive by Hamas in Gaza. This tragedy further underscores the urgency and complexity of the situation.

Israel's decision to expand its military operation in southern Gaza raises concerns about the already dire humanitarian situation. Over 1.9 million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced, with the majority concentrated in the south. The Israeli military has already started calling for civilian evacuations in this region. If the ground incursion and airstrikes intensify, it is feared that the civilian death toll will rise even further.

Moreover, this expansion in the south complicates the delivery of aid. Southern Gaza has served as a crucial entry point for humanitarian assistance. While the recent UN Security Council resolution aims to increase aid and access through the Rafah and Karem Shalom crossings, significant challenges remain. The Israeli government's restrictions and security concerns have impeded the smooth distribution of aid.

The dire situation in Gaza is becoming increasingly critical. Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized the urgent need to put the resolution into practice swiftly. More than two million people in Gaza are now facing acute food insecurity, and the risk of famine looms. Aid workers and UN agencies have sounded the alarm, highlighting the widespread diseases and shortage of food plaguing the region.

Despite some aid reaching Gaza through the Rafah border crossing, the quantity is far from sufficient. The current flow of aid represents only a fraction of the 500 trucks that used to pass through daily before the conflict erupted. Immediate action is required to address the escalating humanitarian crisis and ensure that adequate aid reaches the people of Gaza.

As the international community strives to navigate this complex and devastating situation, the stakes have never been higher. Every day brings unimaginable suffering to the people of Gaza, who desperately need assistance, stability, and a glimmer of hope for a better future.