The British Foreign Minister, James Cleverly, stressed the importance of continuous aid crossing into Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Cleverly stated that the aid is a “lifeline for those suffering” but emphasized that it cannot be a one-off event. The UK is actively advocating for humanitarian access to Gaza. Meanwhile, trucks carrying essential supplies of humanitarian aid began entering Gaza from Egypt through the Rafah crossing. The aid is expected to be transferred from Egyptian trucks to Palestinian trucks before distribution. UN chief António Guterres described the aid as crucial for the survival of the people in Gaza.
In the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the Israel Defense Forces announced that they have been targeting numerous Hamas sites in Gaza, including operational command centers and anti-tank missile launchers. The conflict has now entered its 15th day. The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, which is the only border not controlled by Israel, may open for foreign citizens to depart Gaza. However, the US embassy in Israel warned of the potentially chaotic and unpredictable security environment surrounding the crossing.
Thousands of people joined a pro-Palestinian march in Sydney, Australia, demanding an end to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. The march received approval at the last minute, and police ensured the event remained peaceful. The worldwide protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza have intensified, with many demanding an immediate resolution to the conflict. In a separate incident, Hamas released two American hostages, a mother and daughter, who were part of the group of 200 people abducted by Hamas militants in early October. The US President, Joe Biden, expressed his relief at their release and pledged to continue efforts to bring back all the kidnapped individuals.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed that Israel will persist in its efforts to bring home all the kidnapped individuals. Netanyahu emphasized that the government and security apparatus will use all means available to locate and rescue the remaining hostages. President Biden also suggested that the Hamas attack was aimed at disrupting the normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Biden had been working towards bringing the two countries together but acknowledged that the attack halted progress in that area. As a result, hopes of normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia have significantly diminished. Israel has intensified its attacks in Gaza, according to the Gaza Ministry of Interior. The conflict has caused severe destruction in the area, with buildings and mosques being targeted.
