As Israeli forces intensify attacks in northern Gaza, reports emerge of a Palestinian shot near the border and growing humanitarian concerns despite aid routes reopening.
Tensions in Gaza flared again after the Israeli military confirmed it had shot and killed a Palestinian who allegedly approached the so-called “yellow line” — a restricted buffer zone separating Israeli troops from Gaza’s civilian areas.
The shooting came just hours after Israeli warplanes struck targets in Beit Lahiya, in Gaza’s northeast, marking yet another escalation in a conflict that has shown little sign of easing. According to the army, three air raids targeted sites believed to be linked to Hamas, though local reports say civilians were among the affected.
Humanitarian Access Amid Escalation
In a surprising move, Israel announced it had opened the Zikim crossing into northern Gaza, allowing the United Nations and international aid agencies to deliver essential humanitarian supplies. The reopening follows weeks of criticism from global organisations over restricted access to food, fuel, and medicine for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
Aid groups welcomed the move but cautioned that occasional crossings cannot offset the immense humanitarian toll of the war. The ongoing bombardments have left much of northern Gaza in ruins, displacing hundreds of thousands and straining already collapsing hospitals and shelters.
Mounting Death Toll and Political Turmoil
Since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, at least 69,182 Palestinians have been killed and 170,694 wounded, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. On the Israeli side, 1,139 people were killed during the October 7 Hamas-led attacks, in which about 200 individuals were taken captive.
As the conflict drags on, it has also deepened Israel’s internal political crisis. The office of President Isaac Herzog confirmed receiving a letter from former U.S. President Donald Trump, reportedly urging Herzog to consider granting a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The appeal comes amid Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trials and waning popularity at home.
Observers note that the unusual intervention highlights how Israel’s domestic politics and the Gaza war have become increasingly intertwined, with both shaping Netanyahu’s grip on power.
A War Without End
Nearly two years since the fighting began, Israel’s war on Gaza shows no clear path to resolution. Despite occasional ceasefire talks and international mediation efforts, daily bombings, civilian deaths, and border clashes continue to define life in the enclave.
With tensions now spilling northward, analysts warn that renewed violence could derail fragile humanitarian efforts and deepen the region’s instability.
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