Gaza in ruins, death toll soars after Israeli airstrikes; Biden warns Netanyahu

As the war between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, the situation in Gaza is rapidly evolving with dire consequences for its civilian population.

• The escalating death toll, which has exceeded 3,200, along with thousands injured and missing, and the looming Israeli ground offensive, has prompted urgent efforts from the international community to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.
• According to India Today, US President Joe Biden may visit Israel on a solidarity trip. In a CBS interview, he warned that the Israeli occupation of Gaza would be "a big mistake."

Efforts to reopen Rafah

• The critical Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza is expected to reopen as diplomatic efforts intensify to aid the delivery of much-needed aid and the evacuation of foreign nationals into Egypt.
• This move is a response to the intense Israeli bombing triggered by Hamas' weekend surprise attack.
• The United States, along with Egypt and other regional stakeholders, is working on a mechanism to assist residents and foreigners trapped in Gaza.

• To address the crisis, the United States has appointed David Satterfield, a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in West Asian affairs, as a special envoy for Middle East humanitarian issues.

• Satterfield is set to arrive in Egypt on Monday to work out the details of aid delivery and evacuation.

Operation Ajay

• A total of 918 Indians stranded in Israel have returned to India as the fourth flight carrying 274 Indians landed in New Delhi on Sunday evening.

• These flights under Operation Ajay are being operated by the government of India to repatriate around 18,000 Indians stranded in Israel.

Crisis in Gaza deepens

• The Gaza Strip, home to over 2.3 million people, blocked from all sides, faces one of the most intense bombardments in its history.
• Hospitals, already struggling with limited resources, are now running on reserves of fuel that are expected to last only around 24 more hours, endangering the lives of thousands of patients.
• The United Nations has warned of the impending catastrophe, highlighting the urgent need for assistance, with Israel's ultimatum for North Gazans to move south long over.
• However, Hamas has encouraged people to ignore Israel's evacuation orders.

An unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding under our eyes.

- Philippe Lazzarini, head of UN agency for Palestinian refugees

Civilian toll

• The toll on civilians is devastating, with over 2,670 Palestinians killed and nearly 10,000 wounded in the ongoing war.
• Among the casualties are children, comprising a quarter of the fatalities.
• An additional 1,000 people are believed to be trapped under rubble.

Situation up north

• Efforts are also underway to prevent the conflict from spreading further, especially given the escalating clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon, which has fired rockets and engaged in hostilities with Israel.
• Iran, a supporter of both Hamas and Hezbollah, has warned Israel about the potential for further escalation if attacks on Palestinians do not cease.

Israel prepares for offensive

• Israel has massed tanks and called up reservists on Gaza's border in preparation for a ground offensive.
• The IDF says its focus is on targeting Hamas and its infrastructure in response to the ongoing rocket attacks.
• Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi told soldiers near the Gaza border that they would be entering Gaza to root out Hamas.