Israel-Hamas War Devastates Khan Yunis, Sparks Humanitarian Crisis

The epicentre of the fighting in the Israel-Hamas war has been Khan Yunis, southern Gaza's main city, which has been devastated by widespread destruction due to intense bombing. Israel's military has been using innovative tactics, including flooding tunnels used by Hamas, as part of its efforts to neutralize the threat posed by the subterranean network of tunnels. The war has resulted in a significant loss of life, with over 26,000 people killed, the majority of whom are women and children. The ongoing conflict has left much of Gaza in ruins, leading to a humanitarian crisis for its 2.4 million residents, many of whom are facing hunger and disease.

Efforts to broker a new ceasefire have been underway, with a meeting in Paris resulting in a proposed framework. The plan includes a phased truce aimed at securing the release of women and children hostages first, as well as delivering aid to Gaza. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will not release thousands of Palestinian prisoners as part of any ceasefire deal. The violence has also spilled over into the West Bank, with Israeli undercover troops raiding a hospital in Jenin and killing three men accused of being members of a terrorist cell.

Palestinian health officials have condemned the raid, stating that hospitals are protected under international law. The conflict has also led to a strain in the relationship between Israel and the United Nations, with key donor countries, including the United States and Germany, suspending funding to the UN's agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. Israel has alleged that UNRWA is compromised, accusing it of hiring terrorists on a massive scale and letting its infrastructure be used for Hamas military activity.