War on many fronts: Israel targets Syria and West Bank

Rafah (Gaza Strip): Israeli war planes struck targets across Gaza overnight and into Sunday, as well as two airports in Syria and a mosque in the occupied West Bank allegedly used by militants, as the twoweek-old war with Hamas threatened to spiral into a broader conflict.

Israel has traded fire with Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group on a neardaily basis since the war began, and tensions are soaring in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Israeli forces have battled militants in refugee camps and carried out two airstrikes in recent days.

For days, Israel has seemed to be on the verge of launching a ground offensive in Gaza as part of its response to Hamas' deadly October 7 rampage.

Tanks and tens of thousands of troops have massed at the border, and Israeli leaders have spoken of an undefined next stage in operations. On Saturday, 20 trucks of aid were allowed to enter Gaza from Egypt through the Rafah crossing, the first time anything has gone into the territory since Israel imposed a complete siege two weeks ago.

Aid workers said it was far too little to address the spiralling humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where half the territory's 2.3 million people have fled their homes.

Hospitals packed with patients and displaced people are running low on medical supplies and fuel for generators, forcing doctors to perform surgeries with sewing needles, using kitchen vinegar as disinfectant, and without anesthesia.

The UN humanitarian agency said cases of chicken pox, scabies and diarrhea are on the rise because of the lack of clean water. An Israeli ground assault would likely lead to a dramatic escalation in casualties on both sides.

More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed in the war — mostly civilians slain during the initial Hamas attack. At least 210 people were captured and dragged back to Gaza, including men, women, children and older adults.

Two Americans were released on Friday in what Hamas said was a humanitarian gesture. More than 4,300 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamasrun Health Ministry.

That includes the disputed toll from a hospital explosion. Syrian state media meanwhile reported that Israeli airstrikes have targeted the international airports in the capital, Damascus, and Aleppo.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah said six of its fighters were killed Saturday, and the group's deputy leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, warned that Israel would pay a high price if it starts a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Israel struck Hezbollah targets Sunday in response to rocket fire, the military said. In West Bank, dozens of Palestinians have been killed in clashes with Israeli troops and in raids. 

India sends humanitarian aid to people of Palestine

India on Sunday sent more than 38 tonnes of relief material including medicines and medical equipment for the people of Palestine amid mounting global concerns over the plight of civilians living in Gaza.

The consignments were sent in a C-17 transport aircraft to El-Arish airport in Egypt. The material includes essential life-saving medicines, surgical items and tents.

Palestinian students in India anxious about loved ones

Visuals of flattened buildings, debri have caused immense psychological trauma to Talib, a Palestinian student in India, who is constantly worried about the well-being of his family member.

Running out of money, the 31-year-old had to cut down on his meals. "I haven't been able to read or write a single sentence ever since the war started,'' he said. (AP)