Over 55 Killed In Israeli Airstrikes As Gaza War Deepens, Aid Still Blocked

Over 50 People Killed in Gaza as Israel Continues Airstrikes

On Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 55 people, according to doctors in the area. Even though many countries are asking Israel to stop the attacks and let in more food and aid, the fighting continues.

The United Kingdom has stopped trade talks with Israel and has called the Israeli ambassador to explain its anger about what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank. The European Union is also thinking about changing its trade deal with Israel.

This war started in October 2023 and has now been going on for almost 20 months. During this time, much of Gaza has been destroyed. Most people have had to leave their homes, and many are going hungry. The war has also hurt Israel’s relationships with other countries, even its close friend, the United States.

On Monday, Israel said it would allow some aid into Gaza after blocking it for 11 weeks. But the United Nations (UN) said no help had reached people inside Gaza yet. A UN spokesperson said Israel wants aid to be dropped off at the border and reloaded after permission is given.

Four trucks of baby food were dropped off on Monday. On Tuesday, some trucks carrying food, medicine, and other supplies entered Gaza. The Israeli army said 93 UN aid trucks passed into Gaza after being checked for safety.

Peace Talks Not Working

Efforts to stop the war through peace talks are failing. Israel and Hamas have been talking in Qatar, but these talks have not gone well. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brought his team back to Israel from the talks.

Hamas said Netanyahu was not serious about peace and only joined the talks to look good to the rest of the world. They said there had been no real talks since last Saturday.

Israel’s top army leader visited Gaza and said the military would continue fighting until Hamas is completely defeated.

More Civilians Killed

On Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes hit homes and shelters in Gaza. Doctors said 18 people, including children, died when two houses were bombed. A school where families were staying was also hit.

Earlier, Israel told people in the city of Khan Younis to move to the coast for safety. Israel often says Hamas hides weapons in civilian buildings. Hamas denies this.

In Gaza City, people searched through the ruins of a school that had been bombed. A burned red teddy bear was found among the rubble. At a hospital nearby, people prayed over the dead before burying them.

“What did the children do wrong?” said Omar Ahel, who had been staying at the school. “This is not fair.”

Doctors say over 500 people have died in Israeli attacks in just the last nine days.

Other Countries React

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he and the leaders of France and Canada were shocked by the rising violence. They are asking for a ceasefire. They warned Israel that they will take action if it does not stop the attacks and allow more aid into Gaza.

The UK also placed penalties on some people and groups in the West Bank who were violent toward Palestinians. The EU wants to do the same, but one country is blocking it.

An Israeli official said outside pressure would not stop Israel. “We will keep defending ourselves,” he said.

The war started when Hamas fighters attacked Israel in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, over 53,000 people in Gaza have been killed, according to local health officials.

The hunger crisis is getting worse. The UN says Gaza needs 500 aid trucks every day. Louise Wateridge from the UN said there is almost no food left in Gaza. “The warehouses are empty,” she said. “We have food for 200,000 people in Jordan that could reach Gaza in a few hours.”

Hamas says it is ready to release the hostages if Israel stops the war and frees Palestinian prisoners. But Israel says it will only stop after Hamas is fully defeated.

Highlights: