Picture: for illustration purposes
Protracted conflict in the Gaza Strip hit a monumental milestone on Thursday as a handful of humanitarian aid trucks managed to deliver much-needed supplies despite mounting concerns of impending fuel shortages threatening United Nation's relief operations. As fuel reserves wane, the UN is developing a rationing plan for essential facilities, including bakeries and health centres, stating that the current situation is untenable in the long run.
Simultaneously, Israel is seeking to extend its spying capabilities to better track hostages in the Gaza Strip. Authorities are reportedly soliciting for assistance from a selection of spyware companies, including the infamous Pegasus software maker - NSO Group, and Candiru. These firms known to have controversial backgrounds, have been previously blacklisted by the United States.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced that their latest airstrike has resulted in the death of a high-ranking official of Hamas, specifically, the deputy head of the Hamas intelligence directorate, Shadi Barud. The IDF alleges Barud's role in the planning of the 7th October attacks with Yahya Sinwar, a prominent Hamas leader in Gaza. Neither Hamas nor Sinwar has commented on these claims.
Concurrently, the Israeli military declared the elimination of three commanders from the Daraj Tuffah Battalion of Hamas's Gaza City Brigade, whom they assert were heavily involved in the aforementioned 7th October attacks.
Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has vehemently condemned Israel for the violence and devastation in Gaza, criticizing the EU and the UN Security Council for their notable inaction. EU leaders are reportedly discussing the idea of a humanitarian pause, allowing for more significant aid quantities to reach the distressed region.
The IDF announced 60 arrests overnight in the West Bank, with 46 identified as Hamas operatives. Arrests in this Palestinian Authority-governed region have exceeded 1,000 since the conflict's induction. Despite the tension, the Palestine Red Crescent Society acknowledged receiving 12 trucks of humanitarian aid, albeit without any fuel supplies.
The UN is worrying over the potential halt of humanitarian operations due to fuel shortages while struggling to accommodate nearly 600,000 displaced Palestinians in their overwhelmed shelters. As of yet, only 74 out of the necessary 100 trucks of aid have reached the Gaza Strip since the 7th October.
Finally, the ongoing strife sees a rising death toll of soldiers, with 309 families getting notified of their losses by the IDF, while police records indicate civilian deaths totaling 808 following the Hamas attack.