The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has called for the immediate implementation of existing provisional measures as Israel prepares for a major offensive into Rafah, where over 1.4 million Palestinians are seeking refuge.
US President Biden has urged Israel to refrain from a massive land invasion of Rafah, emphasising the need for a temporary ceasefire. The plea comes in the wake of reports of at least five patients succumbing to the consequences of Israel’s incursion into Khan Younis’s Nasser Hospital, where electricity and oxygen supplies were cut off.
Palestinians, particularly in Rafah, have resorted to eating weeds and animal food to survive. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has issued warnings about the challenges in distributing aid, especially in northern Gaza, where critical shortages worsen the crisis.
Since October 7, Isreal has killed at least 28,775 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and wounded 68,552 others in its war on Gaza, which is backed by the United States, the United Kingdom, and other western governments.
UN humanitarian officials report a mass exodus of Palestinians in Rafah towards central areas due to escalated Israeli air attacks. Rafah, home to over half of Gaza’s population, struggles with a scarcity of food and essential supplies.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric highlighted the lack of food in Rafah and other areas, particularly in northern Gaza, which has become the primary target of the ongoing offensive. Aid delivery challenges include frequent border closures, import restrictions, infrastructure damage, and persisting conflict.
Despite advocating for a ceasefire, the United States plans to further enhance Israel’s military capabilities. Israel’s request for a swift acquisition of tens of millions of dollars worth of weapons, including MK-82 bombs, KMU-572 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and FMU-139 bomb fuses, has raised concerns.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant clarified that Israel has no intention of forcing Palestinians into Egypt amid reports suggesting Egypt is preparing for a potential influx of refugees.