In a recent phone call between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden stressed the importance of taking new measures to protect civilians and aid workers in Gaza. This comes as the Palestinian death toll from Israel’s six-month war has surpassed 33,000, with over 75,600 people wounded, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The situation has escalated to the point where World Central Kitchen, an organization providing aid in Gaza, is demanding an independent investigation into Israeli strikes that resulted in the deaths of seven of its workers. The United Nations has also warned of a “plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for a cease-fire.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has criticized Netanyahu for suggesting that the deaths of aid workers are simply part of the cost of war. Spain’s Open Arms charity has decided to end its food delivery mission to Gaza following an Israeli airstrike that killed seven of its workers.
Pressure is mounting on countries like Poland, the UK, and the U.S. to suspend arms sales to Israel in light of the recent deaths of aid workers. The U.S. military has revealed that they successfully shot down missiles and drones launched by Houthi rebels targeting the USS Gravely destroyer.
Human Rights Watch has alleged that an Israeli attack on a Gaza apartment building resulted in the deaths of over 100 civilians, including 54 children. Polish leaders are calling on Israel to provide compensation to the family of a Polish aid worker who was killed in Gaza.
Additionally, a plot to assassinate an Israeli government minister was recently thwarted, leading to the arrest of 14 Palestinians. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has urged Israel to prioritize the protection of lives and aid workers in Gaza.
The U.N. has reported that acute malnutrition is worsening for babies in northern Gaza, with one-third of children under the age of 2 being affected. The international community is closely monitoring the situation in Gaza and calling for urgent action to protect civilians and aid workers.
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