Background on Key Figures and Relevance
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamás in the Gaza Strip has escalated to a critical point, with international organizations raising alarms about the risk of widespread starvation among Gaza’s population. This situation has unfolded over nearly 22 months, with continuous Israeli bombardments and no signs of an impending ceasefire.
Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, has been actively engaged in negotiations between Israel and Hamás to achieve a ceasefire agreement. Although recent talks in Doha failed when both Israel and the U.S. withdrew their delegations, Witkoff will visit Israel on Thursday to discuss further steps regarding the Gaza situation.
Hamás, an Islamist movement governing Gaza since 2007, has been at the center of this conflict. The group’s actions have resulted in significant civilian casualties on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides. Seventeen countries, including Arabia Saudita, Catar, and Egipto, have called on Hamás to relinquish control of Gaza and transfer its weapons to the Palestinian Authority during a United Nations conference in New York.
Recent Developments
Israeli Shootings in Gaza
On Wednesday, the Gaza Civil Defense reported that 30 Palestinians died due to Israeli gunfire while waiting for humanitarian aid in northern Gaza. The day’s tally reached at least 40 fatalities in the Palestinian territory, which, according to the United Nations, faces a generalized threat of famine.
According to the Gaza Civil Defense spokesperson, Mahmud Basal, Israeli soldiers stationed on roads leading to aid distribution points opened fire on Palestinians attempting to secure assistance. The Israeli military claimed they issued “warning shots” against a group approaching their troops from “hundreds of meters” away just before the aid center’s opening.
Calls for Hamás Disarmament
Seventeen countries, including Arabia Saudita, Catar, and Egipto, urged Hamás to surrender its weapons to the Palestinian Authority during a United Nations conference in New York. The Declaration of New York emphasizes that Hamás must “end its control over Gaza” and transfer weapons to the Palestinian Authority, aiming to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza.
United Kingdom’s Recognition of Palestine
The United Kingdom announced on Tuesday that it would recognize Palestine as a state in September, contingent upon Israel’s commitment to certain obligations—including implementing a ceasefire in Gaza. Israel criticized this move as “rewarding Hamás’ monstrous terrorism.”
France and 14 other Western countries, including Canada and Australia, have invited global nations to express their willingness to recognize a Palestinian state, according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. France has also declared its intention to officially recognize Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Urgent Need for Humanitarian Aid
United Nations agencies called on Tuesday for an “inundation” of food aid into Gaza, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres stating that “the aid network must become an ocean.” The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a respected authority supported by the UN and various humanitarian organizations, reported that the crisis in Gaza has reached a “alarming and deadly” point.
Aid Supply and Distribution
Israeli authorities announced that over 200 aid trucks were dispatched by international organizations to Gaza. Additionally, Jordanian and Emirati planes delivered 52 pallets of aid, according to the same source.
