Israel-Hamas Conflict: Apocalyptic Situation Fears as Israel Threatens Rafah Invasion; Mass Graves Found in Gaza Hospitals
The Israel-Hamas conflict entered its 200th day on Tuesday, with concerns growing over potential Israeli plans to invade the southern city of Rafah, where 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge.
Norwegian Refugee Council chief Jan Egeland warned that such an invasion would result in an "apocalyptic situation" and that humanitarian groups are unprepared.
The UN rights office expressed horror over reports of mass graves discovered at Gaza's two largest hospitals following Israeli sieges and raids.
Israel has been accused of targeting medical facilities in Gaza, specifically the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, where nearly 340 bodies have been discovered over the past three days.
Israel denies the allegations, claiming that any corpses found were examined by Israeli troops for hostages and then returned to their original location.
Hamas denies using the hospitals as command centers or holding hostages.
The UN rights chief has called for an independent investigation into the deaths at Nasser and Al-Shifa hospitals, emphasizing the special protection medical facilities are entitled to under international law.
The UN rights office expressed concern over reports of bodies found at Nasser Hospital in Gaza with bound hands and stripped clothes.
The bodies were seen under white shrouds in images from the scene.
The White House stated they would discuss the matter with Israel, but could not confirm the authenticity of the reports.
Intense Israeli shelling was reported in Gaza City and several refugee camps, resulting in loud explosions and strikes.
The text summarizes the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, which began with a Hamas attack on October 7 that resulted in the death of around 1,170 people according to Israeli figures.
In response, Israel launched a military offensive that has killed at least 34,183 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.
The Israeli army has reported the death of 261 soldiers since the ground operation began.
Approximately 129 of the 250 people abducted during the Hamas attack are believed to still be in Gaza, including 34 who have been reported dead.
Netanyahu's government is under pressure to secure a truce deal for the release of the remaining hostages.
Hamas's armed wing spokesman, Abu Obeida, stated that Israel is "trapped in the sands of Gaza" and the hostages are "most likely" not returning home soon.
Protesters set fire to a symbolic Passover table at a rally near Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's home in Caesarea, expressing their pain and struggle during the Jewish holiday known as the "holiday of freedom." Their loved ones are among the hostages or victims of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
The world has been expressing outrage against Israel's offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in widespread destruction and fears of famine.
Hundreds of students have been arrested at pro-Palestinian demonstrations on US university campuses.
In Gaza, the UN reports that multiple obstacles are preventing the delivery of urgently needed aid for the desperate population in need of food, water, shelter, and medicine.
Israel has announced plans for a military offensive on Rafah, a city in the besieged Gaza Strip, which is expected to last six weeks.
Civilians are reportedly being moved from Rafah to Khan Yunis in preparation for the operation.
Satellite images show new tent camps in the area.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Israel intends to gradually send troops into Rafah to target Hamas leaders.
The European Union's humanitarian chief has called on international donors to support UNRWA, the United Nations agency providing aid in Gaza, following an independent report that found no evidence to support Israel's claims that UNRWA employs terrorists.
A report revealed neutrality issues at UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, including biased social media posts by staff.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini called for an investigation and mentioned the killing of 180 agency staff since the Gaza war began.
Some countries have renewed funding, but the US and Britain have not, requiring "real progress" before restoration.
The Gaza war has led to regional violence, with Hezbollah, a Hamas ally and Iran-backed Lebanese group, retaliating against Israeli army bases with drone attacks.
A woman and a girl were reportedly killed in an Israeli military strike in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, according to local rescuers and media outlets.