Khan Younis residents in southern Gaza describe a night of particularly intense air strikes, marking a surge in Israel’s offensive. Videos circulating online show the sky ablaze as Israeli bombings and gunfire echo through the city. Families who have been displaced sought refuge at Nasser Hospital, but they have been forced to flee as fighting approaches. Amid the chaos, a Qatar-mediated agreement is providing medicines for Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for more aid for Palestinian civilians.
Yasser Zaqzouq, a resident sheltering at Nasser Hospital, recalls the terror of the situation: “This is the loudest sound of armed clashes that I’ve ever heard. We were in terror. All the kids were screaming and crying.” Journalist Tariq Dahlan adds, “There is a state of panic among the displaced people in the hospital. People are running away from this area towards the West, but nobody knows where they’re going and what his fate will be.”
Israel’s military operations against Hamas are expected to soon wind down in the south of Gaza, including Khan Younis, according to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. However, Israeli tanks returning to parts of the north have caused some Gazans to reconsider returning home. The fighting, military officials warn, could continue for months. To alleviate tensions, a deal brokered by Qatar aims to deliver medicines from Doha to El-Arish in Egypt for transportation to Gaza. The agreement also includes an increase in medicines for Palestinians.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the United Nations reporting that the war has displaced approximately 85% of the population. People are cramming into shelters and struggling to access basic supplies. In a joint statement, UN special rapporteurs highlight the severity of the crisis: “Currently every single person in Gaza is hungry, a quarter of the population are starving and struggling to find food and drinkable water, and famine is imminent.”
As tensions persist, both Qatar and Egypt are working to secure the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for a halt in fighting. The White House expresses hope that a new deal can be reached soon. However, the logistics of delivering the medicines to the remaining hostages, who are suffering from chronic diseases or in need of life-saving drugs, remain unclear. The involvement of Qatari representatives in Gaza and the potential role of the Red Cross are being considered.
The conflict in Gaza shows no signs of abating, leaving the population vulnerable and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The continued violence presents a daunting challenge for international mediators as they strive to find a path towards peace.