Description: Israel’s air forces conducted bombing runs in the cities of Khan Younis and Jabaliya leaving more than 70 people dead, 22 of whom were reported to have been children. The attacks were allegedly conducted in order to target the senior Hamas commander Mohammed Sinwar, who took refuge in the hospital near the city of Khan Younis. The disastrous humanitarian crisis caused by nearly three months of blockages by Israel is further aggravated by the closing of the several hospitals treating the wounded in the region. Charity kitchens in Gaza were also forced to close down in the midst of mounting warfare campaigns from Israel’s army as they faced severe difficulties to continue operations. The attacks happened while US President Donald Trump was visiting the US allies in the Gulf, marking a substantial shift in policy towards Israel.
Impact: In the face of the 77th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, Israel continues to plunge the region into levels of humanitarian disaster. The militarization of humanitarian aid causes irreparable consequences on the local population as the war continues to ravage in its second year. Ceasefire initiatives have fallen short, and the latest shift in US policy towards Israel restates that both countries have established largely differentiated approach towards resolving the war. Trump’s alignment with his Arab partners indicates that the US might reduce or cease support towards Israel as their pretext for continuing the warfare campaign only impacts the humanitarian situation and does little to no damage to Hamas. The rift between Israel and the US could be detrimental towards ceasing hostilities as the mediated peace talks by Egypt and Qatar has so far given mixed results without concrete resolution proposals.