Death Toll Rises in Gaza and Lebanon
Israeli forces carried out a pre-dawn airstrike on the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, killing at least 32 people, according to local correspondents. This strike comes one day after Israeli attacks reportedly killed 44 Palestinians in Gaza and 31 in Lebanon. Since October 7, the conflict has seen at least 43,552 Palestinians killed and 102,765 wounded, with casualties also reported in Israel and Lebanon. In Israel, 1,139 people were killed in Hamas-led attacks on October 7, with over 200 taken captive, while 3,136 have died and 13,979 have been wounded in Lebanon due to Israeli strikes.
Qatar Suspends Mediation Efforts
Qatar announced that its mediation efforts to negotiate a truce between Israel and Hamas have been paused. The Qatari government cited a lack of “willingness and seriousness to end the brutal war” from both parties as the reason for the suspension.
Famine Risk Grows in Gaza
A UN-backed report has warned of a “substantial likelihood of famine” in parts of northern Gaza, where increased hostilities and limited aid access have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. Food aid to the region has been nearly halted, and the situation remains dire for many civilians.
The escalating violence underscores the urgent need for diplomatic intervention and increased humanitarian access, as the situation in Gaza, Israel, and Lebanon continues to deteriorate.