UNRWA Reports Death Toll at Gaza Schools
The current situation in Gaza remains dire for Palestinian families who have fled their homes following Israeli attacks. According to a report from the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) distributed flour to Palestinian families that have sought shelter in its schools. The attacks have made it necessary for many Palestinian families to seek refuge in UNRWA schools.
Regarding the death toll, the report from the UNRWA states that at least 218 displaced persons that were sheltering at the United Nations’ schools in Gaza were killed by the attacks. Apart from the fatalities, nearly 900 people have also been injured while attempting to find safety at UNRWA schools. The U.N. has verified 99 “incidents” across over 70 locations, without specifying further details about these incidents.
Additionally, the truce between Israel and Hamas is still in place, with 11 hostages en route to Israel according to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). According to the IDF, the Red Cross has confirmed the release of these hostages who are currently traveling to Israel. This release comes after earlier statements from authorities that 11 hostages were to be exchanged for 33 Palestinians in Israeli detention, most of whom are children. The released hostages include six Argentinian citizens, three French citizens, and two German citizens.
Extension of Humanitarian Truce Discussed
There have been ongoing discussions about extending the humanitarian truce in Gaza, which according to a senior Arab official with direct knowledge of negotiations, was set to be extended by two days. A spokesperson from Qatar’s ministry of foreign affairs confirmed this extension, adding that it would include the delivery of supplemental aid to Gaza and the release of a higher number of hostages.
The situation in Gaza has also prompted the Bank of Israel to hold its benchmark interest rates steady, in order to maintain financial stability in the midst of the ongoing war, which has had significant consequences on real economic activity and financial markets. The Bank has revised its forecasts for economic growth downwards, predicting a 2% expansion in 2023, as opposed to the 2.8% forecast only a month prior.
Efforts have also been made to alleviate the situation in Gaza, as around 200 trucks carrying humanitarian aid, cooking gas, and fuel have entered the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing.
The possibility of an extension of the current truce was also further discussed by SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk in conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In the aftermath of the war, enthusiasm was expressed by Musk to play a part in Gaza’s recovery. Netanyahu outlined his priority of neutralizing Hamas before focusing on rebuilding Gaza, to which Musk showed his interest in getting involved in the post-war recovery.
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