'Why don't you feel the pain as Gaza bleeds? Why?'

NT Bureau, Agencies

Tel Aviv/Gaza Strip: The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees says its relief operations across the Gaza Strip will need to be sharply curtailed amid crippling Israeli airstrikes.

Hospitals in Gaza are doing their best to provide treatment to the wounded with rapidly dwindling resources. The war, in its 19th day, is the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides.

The Health Ministry said Wednesday that at least 6,546 Palestinians have been killed and 17,439 others wounded. In the occupied West Bank, more than 100 Palestinians have been killed and 1,650 wounded in violence and Israeli raids since Oct. 7.

“The ongoing surge of conflict-related violence continues to take a horrendous toll on the lives of children and their families in Israel and the State of Palestine. Nothing justifies the killing, maiming or abduction of children. Any delay in bringing an end to the conflict will inevitably result in more devastating consequences for children," said UNICEF Spokesperson James Elder.

A Palestinian journalist, whose children were killed by Israeli airstrikes, asks in a viral video: 'Why don't the entire world feel the pain? Why? Why?'"

Gaza is sinking further into a humanitarian crisis. The World Health Organization said Wednesday that 12 of the 35 hospitals in the enclave were not functioning, and seven major hospitals were well over capacity, risking patient safety.

European Union leaders were to meet in Brussels on Thursday and were set to ask for a “humanitarian pause” to facilitate aid deliveries. French President Emmanuel Macron says humanitarian aid must enter into Gaza without obstacles.

Speaking in Cairo, Macron said it is essential to get fuel supplies to hospitals, adding a French navy ship would arrive soon to bring support and a plane will arrive in Egypt with key medical supplies.

Israel has agreed to delay the ground invasion of Gaza for now, in order for the United States to rush missile defences to the region, US media outlet Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported.

Sami al-Bayouk resorted to a donkey and cart to carry away one of six family members killed in an air strike on Khan Younis in Gaza’s south. “Death is everywhere,” he said.

The situation at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis is dire, Dr Mohammed Qandeel says, “Words cannot describe how bad the situation is.

Since last night, we have received 300 wounded patients. We received 150 killed. We did Cesarean sections to two wounded pregnant women.”

Israel using starvation as weapon in Gaza: Oxfam

Oxfam has said starvation is being used as a “weapon of war” against civilians in Gaza.

“Just 2 per cent of food has been delivered to Gaza since the siege was imposed,” it stated.

In a statement, the international aid group’s regional director said: “Every day the situation worsens. Children are experiencing severe trauma from the constant bombardment, their drinking water is polluted or rationed and soon families may not be able to feed them too. How much more are Gazans expected to endure?’

Oxfam also called for an immediate ceasefire, unfettered, equitable access to the entire Gaza Strip for humanitarian aid, and all necessary food and water.