International criticism mounted as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate
\n Gaza
\nIsraeli forces have intensified their assault on Gaza, killing at least 125 Palestinians \u2014 including 36 people in al-Mawasi, an area previously designated as a \u201csafe zone.\u201d
\nThe invasion followed Israel\u2019s announcement of an expanded military campaign aimed at defeating Hamas.
\nMahmud Bassal, spokesperson for Gaza\u2019s civil defence, confirmed that 22 people died in a predawn strike targeting tents sheltering displaced civilians in Al-Mawasi.
\nAt least 100 others were wounded in the same attack.
\n\u201cMore than half of the martyrs were children,\u201d Bassal said, describing the overnight offensive as a \u201cseries of violent Israeli air strikes\u201d that hit several areas of the besieged territory.
\nFootage from AFP TV showed destroyed shelters and frantic rescue efforts, as survivors searched for loved ones.
\nSeven more deaths were reported in a separate strike on a house in Jabalia, northern Gaza, where Al-Awda Hospital also sustained damage.
\nAdditional casualties occurred in Al-Zawayda and Khan Yunis, bringing the total death toll from Sunday\u2019s strikes to at least 125.
\nThe Israeli military has not issued an official statement regarding these specific incidents, but has previously claimed that its attacks are intended to achieve \u201call of the war\u2019s objectives,\u201d including dismantling Hamas.
\nInternational criticism mounted over the weekend as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate.
\nSince March 2, Israel has enforced a blockade severely restricting aid, prompting warnings from UN agencies and humaniytarian agencies about critical shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel that could lead to risk of famine.
\nUN Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres, speaking at an Arab League summit in Baghdad, expressed deep concern at the renewed violence. \u201cI am alarmed by the escalating military attacks. We need a permanent ceasefire, now,\u201d he said.
\nThe summit concluded with a unified call for the international community to pressure Israel to end hostilities.
\nEuropean leaders also voiced concern. Italy urged Israel to halt its airstrikes, while Germany said it was \u201cdeeply concerned.\u201d
\nEuropean Council President Ant\u00f3nio Costa stated he was \u201cshocked by the news from Gaza.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
International criticism mounted as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate Gaza Israeli forces have intensified their assault on Gaza, killing at least 125 Palestinians \u2014 including 36 people in al-Mawasi, an area previously designated as a \u201csafe zone.\u201d The invasion followed Israel\u2019s announcement of an expanded military campaign aimed at defeating Hamas. Mahmud […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":479403,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-479383","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n