A shipment of medical aid entered Gaza on Wednesday under the first agreement between Israel and Hamas since November. The deal, mediated by France and Qatar, provides medication for Hamas-held hostages and Palestinians in Gaza lacking access to healthcare.
This small deal offers some relief amidst intense conflict that has claimed over 24,000 Palestinian lives over 100 days of war. However, significant fighting continues with no permanent ceasefire or hostage releases in sight.
Per the agreement, Hamas secured medicine for hostages in exchange for shipments of medical supplies to aid civilian Palestinians. The aid will be distributed through Gaza hospitals.
France facilitated the months-long negotiations. The aid contains three months of treatment for 45 hostages’ chronic conditions. Several elderly hostages remain captive.
Top UN officials warn of an impending humanitarian emergency in Gaza unless permitted more assistance. Israel contends limitations lifted, but inadequate border crossings, slow processing, and persistent violence obstruct aid delivery.
Fierce clashes persist, as Israel concentrates operations in central and southern Gaza after purportedly routing Hamas in the north. While many civilians evacuated, casualties remain extremely high, with over 24,000 Palestinians and around 200 Israelis killed so far.
Tensions are also skyrocketing in the occupied West Bank amid daily Israeli raids and shootouts with militants, taking over 360 Palestinian lives since early October.
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