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Catherine Colonna, France’s foreign minister, called for an “immediate and durable” truce in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. She expressed deep concern over the situation in the Palestinian territory and emphasized that the victims of Hamas’s attacks, including those subjected to sexual violence, should not be forgotten. The Palestine Red Crescent Society is also concerned with the heavy Israeli strikes across the Gaza strip that have hampered their operations. Meanwhile, Qatar has received another group of injured Palestinians for medical treatment, and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees urged an immediate halt to Israel’s continued bombardment of Gaza. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a result of Israel’s strikes was described as “absolutely unprecedented and staggering” by UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini. The continued bombardment of Gaza by Israeli forces has severely limited humanitarian supplies entering the strip and has led to over 1.7 million Palestinians being displaced. France, Greece, and the UK have indicated their willingness to send humanitarian aid to Gaza via a humanitarian sea corridor from Cyprus, which the Israeli government has approved.

The Pope has condemned the Israeli killings of two Christian women who were sheltering at a Gaza church, suggesting Israel was using “terrorism” tactics across the strip. The Palestine Red Crescent Society has stated that the aid that has been received in Gaza “doesn’t meet 10% of the needs,” and the organization has called for unconditional continuing aid entry into Gaza. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has requested help from the US to halt Israeli attacks across Gaza and the West Bank, emphasizing the humanitarian situation. Palestinians in Gaza are using eSim cards to navigate through communication blackouts as a result of Israel’s attacks across the strip. Mirna El Helbawi, an Egyptian activist, has been leading a campaign to connect 50,000 Palestinians via donated eSIMs. France and Qatar have also expressed concern for civilians and continued to push for a ceasefire, afraid that the situation in Gaza will escalate further with no relief in sight. France has also expressed worry for the French hostages still held in Gaza.

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Photo credit www.theguardian.com