Live Updates of Israel's conflict with Gaza: NGO condemns the "mass killing of children"

“‘Mass killing of children in slow motion’ unfolds in Gaza, reports Save the Children International. Six children perish in north Gaza due to dehydration and malnutrition, with others critical, Gaza Health Ministry reveals. Doctors Without Borders alarms over Gaza’s healthcare system collapse amid attacks. Samantha Power, USAID head, emphasizes urgent need for more aid crossings into Gaza as a matter of life and death. Israeli attacks since October 7 claim 29,954 lives and leave 70,325 wounded in Gaza, with 1,139 casualties in Israel.”

Feb 29, 2024 17:38 EST
Hamas Denounces Gaza Attack as ‘Unprecedented War Crime’
Hamas has condemned Israel for what it calls a “hideous massacre” of civilians seeking food aid, with at least 77 reported killed. In a statement, Hamas accuses Israel of aiming to displace Palestinians and eradicate their cause. The group urges urgent action from the League of Arab States and the UN Security Council to halt what it terms Israel’s “mass killing and ethnic cleansing in Gaza.” Hamas calls on Arab nations to mobilize aid and urges global protests against perceived Israeli war crimes, demanding UN and international intervention to ensure safe aid delivery.



Feb 29, 2024 17:38 EST
Fatalities and Injuries Reported Near Khan Younis
Israeli strikes west of Khan Younis resulted in one fatality and three children wounded, according to reports.



Feb 29, 2024 17:38 EST
UN Rights Chief Warns Against Israeli Ground Assault in Rafah
UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, expressed grave concern over the possibility of an Israeli ground assault in Rafah, stating it would escalate the already dire situation in Gaza to unprecedented levels. Turk emphasized that such an operation could violate binding provisional measures set by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Presenting a report on human rights in Gaza and the West Bank, he highlighted numerous incidents potentially constituting war crimes by Israeli forces, including indiscriminate or disproportionate targeting. Turk urged the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to prioritize peace, investigation, and accountability in the region.



Feb 29, 2024 17:37 EST
Israeli Police Deployed to Prevent Settler Obstruction of Gaza Aid
Israeli police have mobilized extensively at the Nitzana crossing with Gaza to deter settlers from impeding humanitarian aid entry into the besieged enclave, according to Israeli police statements on X. Recent weeks have witnessed Israeli settlers staging demonstrations to obstruct aid arrivals into the territory. The heightened police presence underscores efforts to ensure the uninterrupted flow of vital humanitarian assistance to Gaza amidst mounting tensions and challenges.



Feb 29, 2024 17:37 EST
Kamal Adwan Hospital Limited to First-Aid Care for Critical Patients
Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, describes the facility as being on the brink of collapse amidst the overwhelming influx of patients following the Israeli attack on Palestinians awaiting aid. Abu Safia highlights the hospital’s dire situation, emphasizing its reliance on batteries and the absence of operating rooms. With most patients requiring urgent surgical intervention, the hospital can only provide first-aid treatment, leaving critical cases unaddressed. Abu Safia expresses helplessness amid the escalating humanitarian crisis, underscoring the urgent need for expanded medical resources and support.



Feb 29, 2024 17:36 EST
Death Toll Rises to 81 in Gaza Food Aid Wait
Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that the death toll among Palestinians awaiting food aid, killed by Israeli forces, has surged to 81, with approximately 700 individuals wounded. The ministry further warns that as many injuries range from severe to critical, the death toll could surpass 100. The escalation in casualties underscores the severity of the crisis and the urgent need for humanitarian intervention to address the escalating violence and casualties in Gaza.



Feb 29, 2024 17:36 EST
Israeli Forces Demolish 155 Palestinian Homes in Occupied West Bank
Data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reveals that Israeli forces have demolished 197 Palestinian structures in the occupied West Bank this year, including 155 homes. These demolitions have resulted in the displacement of 496 Palestinians, as reported by OCHA. The continued demolition of Palestinian homes underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for international attention and intervention to address the plight of Palestinians in the occupied territories.



Feb 29, 2024 14:15 EST
Nine Children Succumb to Malnutrition and Dehydration in North Gaza Hospitals: Director Reports
Ahmed al-Kahlout, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, informed Al Jazeera Arabic that seven children have succumbed to malnutrition, bringing the hospital’s total deaths to nine. Earlier, four children had died due to malnutrition, with others in critical condition as the hospital faced fuel shortages for its generators. Additionally, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported two deaths at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The tragic toll underscores the urgent need for humanitarian aid in northern Gaza, where malnutrition and dehydration continue to claim young lives amidst dire circumstances.



Feb 29, 2024 14:14 EST
Israeli Attacks Claim Dozens of Lives in Nuseirat, Bureij, and Khan Younis Camps
According to the Palestinian Wafa news agency, Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 25 individuals in the Nuseirat and Bureij camps located in central Gaza. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah received the majority of victims, predominantly women and children, with dozens still unaccounted for under the debris. Meanwhile, Khan Younis in southern Gaza faced intense Israeli shelling overnight, with the European Hospital receiving the bodies of five casualties. Ongoing attacks have hindered ambulance crews from reaching more victims, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.



Feb 29, 2024 14:14 EST
Israeli Military Conducts Jet Fighter and Artillery Attacks in Southern Lebanon; Two Reported Killed
Israel’s military has released video footage allegedly depicting recent jet fighter attacks on targets in southern Lebanon’s Kafra and Seddiqine areas. The footage, albeit grainy, illustrates nighttime assaults on at least two residential structures in Lebanon. The Israeli military stated on social media that the attacks targeted military infrastructures of the Hezbollah terrorist organization. Additionally, artillery strikes were reported in the vicinity of the small Lebanese village of Hula in recent hours. The escalation underscores heightened tensions in the region, raising concerns about further violence and instability.



Feb 29, 2024 14:13 EST
Gaza Death Toll Nears 30,000 as Children Succumb to Starvation-Like Conditions
The death toll in Israel’s ongoing conflict with Gaza has surged, nearing 30,000 according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Within a 24-hour span, 76 individuals lost their lives, bringing the total to 29,954, while 110 others sustained injuries, pushing the overall injury count since October 7 to 70,325. Tragically, six children perished from dehydration and malnutrition at Kamal Adwan and al-Shifa hospitals, with additional casualties reported. Recent updates indicate three more children have died, escalating the hospital death toll to nine. The dire situation underscores the urgent need for humanitarian intervention to alleviate suffering in Gaza.



Feb 29, 2024 14:12 EST
Amnesty Chief Urges EU: Fund UNRWA ‘Without Delay’
Agnes Callamard, Secretary-General of Amnesty International, implored Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to swiftly resume funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. Callamard highlighted the risk of exacerbating harms, including potential genocide, by suspending UNRWA funding. While acknowledging the need for independent investigations into allegations against a fraction of UNRWA staff, Callamard cautioned against legitimizing the collective punishment of Palestinians through funding suspensions. Urgent action is needed to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in dire need without delay.



Feb 29, 2024 14:12 EST
Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds in Northern Gaza – Seven Children Perish at Kamal Adwan Hospital
In Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, at least seven children have tragically succumbed at Kamal Adwan Hospital amidst a dire situation marked by widespread hunger, malnutrition, and dehydration. The Israeli military’s prolonged restriction on humanitarian supply deliveries to northern Gaza has exacerbated the crisis, leaving thousands of children without adequate access to food and medication. The escalating humanitarian plight underscores the urgent need for immediate intervention to alleviate suffering and ensure essential supplies reach those in desperate need.



Feb 29, 2024 12:47 EST
Indonesian Humanitarian Aid Arrives in Gaza Amid Israeli Attacks, Distribution Challenges
Trucks transporting humanitarian aid from the Indonesian charity MER-C (Medical Emergency Rescue Committee) have successfully entered the Gaza Strip, as reported by Indonesian volunteers on-site. Fikri Rofiul Haq and Reza Aldilla Kurniawan, MER-C volunteers, oversaw the delivery of wheat flour and food packages, distributing supplies in Khan Younis, the focal point of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. Despite receiving three deliveries, including 1,500 sacks of wheat flour since Monday, intense Israeli bombardments have hindered full distribution, limiting aid access to some areas. Urgent needs persist, including tents and warm clothing, amidst the escalating crisis in Gaza.



Feb 29, 2024 12:46 EST
New Zealand Declares Entire Hamas Organization as ‘Terrorist’
New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the designation of the entire Hamas organization as a “terrorist group” in response to brutal attacks in October 2023. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon condemned the violence, leading to the inclusion of Hamas’s political wing, previously designated in 2010. Foreign Minister Winston Peters emphasized that distinguishing between Hamas’s military and political arms was no longer feasible. The designation criminalizes any material support or transactions with Hamas in New Zealand, reflecting the nation’s stance against terrorism.



Feb 29, 2024 12:46 EST
Norwegian Refugee Council Leader Expresses Shock at Conditions in Rafah
Jan Egeland, the Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, described the situation in Rafah, southern Gaza, as dire, with malnutrition, epidemic disease, and trauma pervasive. Egeland visited a school sheltering 4,500 displaced individuals who fled Gaza City and nearby Khan Younis, expressing shock at the conditions they endure. He highlighted the dire sanitation situation, where 18 latrines serve thousands. Egeland also observed hundreds of aid trucks waiting at the Rafah border crossing to enter Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need to aid the starving civilian population. He called for a repair of the broken system, suggesting Israel could intervene for the innocent’s sake.



Feb 29, 2024 12:46 EST
Swedish MEP Stages Silent Protest Against Gaza War
During an EU parliamentary session, a Swedish Member of the European Parliament, Abir al-Sahlani, utilized her speaking time to stage a silent protest against Israel’s war on Gaza. Al-Sahlani conveyed that there were “no more words” to articulate the situation in Gaza and emphasized that “human rights have a skin color.” The silent demonstration underscored the MEP’s profound concern and frustration regarding the ongoing conflict and its humanitarian toll.



Feb 29, 2024 12:45 EST
Israeli PM Netanyahu Holds Talks with UN Gaza Aid Coordinator Sigrid Kaag on "Current Challenges"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in discussions with Sigrid Kaag, the United Nations’ senior coordinator for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Gaza. The prime minister’s office stated that they deliberated on “current challenges in the region and potential policies to address them.” The meeting comes amid mounting concerns over the death toll in Gaza nearing 30,000 and warnings from aid agencies about a “slow-motion” crisis of children succumbing to food shortages and disease. While Netanyahu’s office didn’t provide specifics, UN officials and NGOs have criticized Israeli restrictions on aid, warning of an impending humanitarian catastrophe in northern Gaza.



Feb 29, 2024 12:45 EST
Refugees International Chief Criticizes Humanitarian Airdrops, Calls Them Part of Israel’s 'Blockade Strategy'
Refugees International President, Jeremy Konyndyk, denounced humanitarian airdrops, stating their limited impact only serves to perpetuate Israel’s blockade strategy. Former USAID official Konyndyk highlighted the airdrops’ negligible nature and their role in creating a false impression of Israeli cooperation. He underscored the need to address the underlying policy failures. Meanwhile, the Israeli army reported a joint mission with the US, UAE, Jordan, Egypt, and France, airdropping 160 packages of food and medical supplies into southern Gaza. Amidst dwindling aid truck numbers, UNRWA noted a significant decline in aid entering Gaza in February compared to January.



Feb 29, 2024 12:38 EST
Canada Considers Airdropping Humanitarian Aid into Gaza, Says Minister
Canada’s International Development Minister, Ahmed Hussen, revealed that the country is exploring options to deliver humanitarian aid, including the possibility of airdrops into Gaza in collaboration with countries like Jordan. Hussen, who recently visited Egypt and Jordan, expressed concern over prolonged Israeli inspections at the Rafah border, hampering aid delivery. Canada has allocated 100 million Canadian dollars ($74m), with 40 million Canadian dollars ($30m) in January alone, toward Gaza aid since Israel’s ground invasion. Hussen emphasized the positive impact of Canadian aid in the region, noting its tangible difference in Gaza.



Feb 29, 2024 12:38 EST
Battle for Zeitoun: Palestinian Fighters Maintain Military Capability Despite Israeli Operations
Despite prolonged Israeli occupation and military endeavors in northern Gaza, Palestinian fighters continue to engage in fierce battles within Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood, reports from war monitors reveal. US-based think tanks, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and the Critical Threats Project (CTP), noted that despite two Israeli “clearing operations,” seven Palestinian armed groups persist in confronting Israeli forces. According to the ISW/CTP’s battlefield assessment, Palestinian fighters launched 92 attacks on Israeli forces between February 19 and 28, underscoring their sustained military capability amidst ongoing conflict.



Feb 29, 2024 12:38 EST
Dozens of Palestinians Killed or Injured While Waiting for Food Aid near Gaza City
Tragic reports emerge as dozens of Palestinians waiting for food aid southwest of Gaza City are shot at a main roundabout, resulting in casualties. Bodies lie on the ground as rescuers face danger from potential Israeli strikes, hindering their efforts. Residents of northern Gaza have embarked on arduous journeys southward on foot in search of food amidst escalating reports of malnutrition and starvation, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis in the region.



Feb 29, 2024 12:37 EST
"Israeli Officials Navigate Tensions Over Al-Aqsa Mosque Access Restrictions"
In times of heightened security concerns in Jerusalem and across Israel, authorities have historically imposed restrictions on access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Itamar Ben-Gvir, serving as national security minister, publicly advocated for stricter limitations this year, proposing that only men over 60 be permitted to attend the mosque during Ramadan. This proposal, widely acknowledged by residents of occupied East Jerusalem, has the potential to ignite significant tension in the region. However, Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defense minister, cautioned against inflammatory statements, urging Israeli military forces to disregard such remarks from influential figures, without specifically mentioning Ben-Gvir. Gallant’s stance underscores the delicate nature of the situation surrounding the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.