The United Nations has reported a significant drop in humanitarian aid entering Gaza since Israel began its military operation in the region. The daily average of aid trucks reaching Gaza dropped by 67%, with only 58 trucks reaching the area from May 7 to Tuesday. Israel has stated that it is committed to facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza despite ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Israeli tanks continued to raid Rafah for a second day, defying the World Court’s order to end attacks on the city. The United States did not believe a major ground operation was underway, despite Israel’s incursion into Rafah. Residents reported Israeli tanks entering various areas before retreating towards the border with Egypt. The Palestinian health ministry called for immediate healthcare assistance in Rafah and northern Gaza, where hospitals had stopped functioning. UNRWA reported that around a million Palestinians had fled after Israeli evacuation orders. The Red Crescent Society evacuated medical teams due to ongoing bombardments. The World Court criticized Israel for not ensuring the safety and well-being of the evacuees from Rafah. Israel proposed a ceasefire and hostage release to Qatar, but Hamas insisted talks were pointless unless Israel ended its offensive on Rafah. Over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s Gaza offensive.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is calling for a ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, where millions of people are facing worsening hunger.
Israeli soldiers were seen eating watermelon on top of a tank near the Israel-Gaza border in Israel. The watermelon has become a symbol of public expression for Palestinians, as the Palestinian flag was banned by Israel until the Olso Accords in 1993. This led to the locally-grown watermelon, colored in red, green, white, and black, becoming an alternative symbol in Palestinian iconography.
Twenty-one Palestinians, including twelve women, were killed and many others were injured in Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday in a tented area housing displaced people in Rafah. The strikes specifically targeted tents belonging to displaced families in a designated humanitarian area in Mawasi, according to Palestinian medical officials and residents.
The Palestinian President made a translation error in an official statement that referred to the “Greek Administration of Southern Cyprus,” causing mild reactions in Cyprus. Some people point out that Cyprus recognized the State of Palestine in 1988, unlike Spain, Ireland, and Norway, which recently did so. The focus should be on the form of the state, as Hamas, a terrorist organization, is in control of Gaza and aims to prevent Israel from having a state.
The Israeli government is accused of pursuing a policy of ethnic cleansing to achieve maximum land with minimum Arabs, leading to a modern-day genocide. The propaganda machine distorts slogans to justify actions, while those advocating for peace and an end to slaughter are labeled as terrorist sympathizers.
The Israeli military is investigating reports of an exchange of fire between Israeli and Egyptian soldiers near the Rafah border crossing with Gaza.
![Reports of ‘horrifying’ mass casualties in Rafah, UNRWA says [PHOTOS]](https://ch.jfdi.cc/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/reports-of-horrifying-mass-casualties-in-rafah-unrwa-says-photos.jpg)
UNRWA described reports of attacks on families seeking shelter in Rafah as “horrifying”. Israeli air strikes killed at least 35 Palestinians in a designated area for the displaced in Rafah. The Israeli military targeted Hamas officials in Rafah, causing civilian casualties. The International Committee of the Red Cross reported an influx of casualties in Rafah. The Israeli military continued operations in Rafah despite a U.N. court ruling. Hamas fired rockets in response to Israeli attacks. Nearly 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
Italy strongly criticized Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians in Gaza, stating that the situation is increasingly difficult and no longer justifiable. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto expressed despair over the situation and emphasized the need to distinguish between Hamas and the Palestinian people. Italy has previously supported Israel’s right to defend itself from Hamas but has urged for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages.