Category: Gaza Updates

New Update Gaza Aid Worker Shot by Israeli Forces

Israeli forces killed 15 humanitarian workers, including the aid worker from Gaza, in an attack on March 23. According to the United Nations and the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS).

The Palestine Red Crescent said that a video found on the phone of an aid worker killed in Gaza shows the final moments before the attack. The video shows ambulances with clear markings and flashing emergency lights as heavy gunfire erupts.

The aid worker was one of 15 humanitarian workers who were killed on March 23 in an attack by Israeli forces. According to the United Nations and the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS).

The Israeli military said that its soldiers did not randomly shoot at ambulances. They claimed they were targeting “terrorists” who were coming toward them in “suspicious vehicles.”.

Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said that soldiers opened fire on vehicles that didn’t have permission from Israeli authorities and were driving without lights.

More about the incident

However, a video shared by the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) on Saturday seems to show something different. The video shows ambulances with headlights on and emergency lights flashing.

The video is 6 minutes and 42 seconds long. Moreover someone likely recorded the video from inside a moving vehicle. In the video, a red firetruck and ambulances drive through the night while heavy gunfire echoes in the background.

The vehicles stop next to another one on the side of the road, and two men in uniform get out. Moments later, intense shooting starts.

You can hear two medics speaking in the video. One says, “the vehicle, the vehicle,” and the other replies, “It seems to be an accident.”

A few seconds later, a burst of gunfire is heard, and the screen goes black.

PRCS said they recovered the video from the phone of Rifat Radwan, one of the aid workers Israeli forces killed. Moreover this video clearly proves that the Israeli forces did randomly target ambulances, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said in a statement.

Furthermore “It also shows that the vehicles did have lights and emergency markings, unlike what the Israeli military claimed.”

The people killed included eight PRCS workers, six members of Gaza’s civil defence team, and one employee from the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA.

Their bodies were later found buried near Rafah, in what the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) called a mass grave.

For more detail about Gaza check link : Gaza War

April 5, 2025
United Nations Raises New Alarm Over Humanitarian Aid Reductions

The United Nations warned on Monday that reducing international aid could stop years of progress in reducing child deaths and might even make things worse. A new report from UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank does not mention the United States directly. Furthermore funding cuts could mean less help for people in Gaza, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and many more countries.

However, it comes at a time when President Donald Trump’s government has cut most programs run by USAID. It is America’s main foreign aid agency, which once had a yearly budget of $42.8 billion.

Fouzia Shafique said the global health community is extremely worried about the situation we are seeing. She is a UNICEF’s Associate Director of Health.
The United States reports warns that cutting aid money will have the worst effects in places where child deaths are already high. Such as sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia.

If funding for life-saving services dwindles, many nations may witness a surge in newborn and child fatalities, the report warned.

In 2023, child deaths under the age of five continued to decline, with 4.8 million deaths recorded. This included 2.3 million newborn babies who died in their first month.
For the first time, the number of child deaths dropped below five million in 2022.The latest numbers show that child deaths have dropped by 52% since the year 2000.

However, Shafique emphasized, “4.8 million deaths is still 4.8 million too many.”

Since 2015, progress in saving children’s lives has slowed down because funds were redirected to fight COVID-19. This could lead to a worrying trend.
“Reaching a record low in preventable child deaths is a big success,” said United Nations executive director Catherine Russell. “But without the right policies and enough funding, we could lose all the progress we have made.”

“We cannot let that happen,” she added.
Some effects of funding cuts are already visible, such as a shortage of health workers, closed clinics, problems with vaccination programs, and a lack of essential supplies like malaria treatments.
Ethiopia is seeing a big rise in malaria cases, said Shafique.

However, the country does not have enough malaria test kits, insecticide-treated bed nets, or funds for spraying to stop disease-carrying mosquitoes.

March 25, 2025
Gaza War: Death Toll Reaches 50,000, Health Ministry New Report

More than 50,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza war since Israel’s war with Hamas began. According to the territory’s health ministry on Sunday. It marks a heartbreaking milestone in a conflict that shows no sign of ending. As Israel continues its attacks and warns that even harder days are ahead.

The Gaza’s health ministry said 41 more people died in Gaza war in the last 24 hours. Israeli attacks have killed at least 50,021 Palestinians.

Officials in Gaza do not separate civilians from Hamas fighters in their reports. The health ministry and the United Nations say most of the dead are women and children. Thousands of people remain trapped under the rubble, so the actual death toll could be even higher.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the Hamas-controlled ministry reports casualty figures that are “fraught with discrepancies and misleading conclusions” . The IDF also claimed that the ministry often includes deaths that are not related to the ongoing conflict. Such as deaths due to natural causes and entrenched values.

The number of deaths increased sharply as Israel restarted its Gaza war with Hamas this week, ending a two-month ceasefire in Gaza. On Tuesday, airstrikes made it one of the deadliest days for Palestinians since theGaza war began, with more than 400 people killed by Israeli attacks, according to the health ministry. By Wednesday, Israel had also restarted its ground operations in the area.

Israel started a war against Hamas in Gaza on October 7, 2023, after the group launched a surprise attack on southern Israel. The attack killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and 251 were taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

Hamas called Israel’s new attacks a “serious and dangerous violation” of the ceasefire agreement. The group says it still follows the ceasefire deal it made with Israel in January, but on Thursday, it fired rockets at Israel for the first time since the truce ended.

People in Gaza have little hope that the violence will stop, as Israeli officials warn that even worse attacks are coming.

Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Hamas this week that Israel will stay in some parts of Gaza unless the hostages are released.
On Friday, Katz said he told the Israeli military to take control of more areas in Gaza.

Almost all of Gaza’s more than 2 million people have been forced to leave their homes. The healthcare system is badly damaged, with hospitals often caught in the fighting. A humanitarian crisis is growing, with famine in some areas. Earlier this month, Israel blocked aid from entering Gaza, and its latest attacks are making it harder to deliver supplies.

Talks to extend the ceasefire have not made progress since it started on January 19.

Hamas wants to follow the original agreement made with Israel in January. Under this plan, both sides would have moved to the next phase on March 1. In this phase, Israel would have had to leave Gaza completely and agree to permanently end the war. In return, Hamas would free all the hostages who are still alive.

The second phase never happened, and Israel restarted the war. It said Hamas refused “two clear peace proposals” from the U.S. and also made “threats to attack Israeli soldiers and communities.” Because of this, Israel said it had reason to continue its attacks on Gaza.

Israel admits that many Palestinian civilians have died in the war but argues that the health ministry’s numbers are too high. It also says Hamas hides among civilians and uses them as “human shields.”

However, both the United Nations and the U.S. State Department have said they believe the health ministry’s numbers are correct. Some independent studies suggest the real number of deaths may be even higher.

March 24, 2025
Gaza Under Attack: Israeli Airstrikes Kill Two Journalists, Seven More Dead

An Israeli airstrike on Beit Lahiya, a town in northern Gaza, killed at least nine Palestinians, including two local journalists, on Saturday. Gaza’s health ministry reported that the strike also injured several others. This attack happened while Hamas leaders were in Cairo for talks about a possible ceasefire with mediators.

Hamas’s unprecedented assault on Israel on 7 October 2023 saw about 1,200 people killed and 251 others taken to Gaza as hostages.

A strike hit a car, badly hurting several people. There were injuries both inside and outside the vehicle, health officials said.

Witnesses and other journalists said the people in the car were working for a charity called Al-Khair Foundation in Beit Lahiya. They were with journalists and photographers when the strike happened. Palestinian media reported that Israeli forces killed at least three local journalists.

The incident shows how weak the January 19 ceasefire is. This ceasefire stopped big fights in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian health officials say that several people have been killed by Israeli fire, even though the truce is in place.

Hamas blamed Israel for breaking the ceasefire agreement. In a statement, it said 150 Palestinians have been killed since January 19.

Hamas called on mediators to pressure Israel to follow the ceasefire deal. It also blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the deadlock.

Since the first phase of the ceasefire ended on March 2, Israel has refused to start the second phase of talks. This phase would include discussions on a permanent end to the conflict, which is Hamas’ main demand.

The incident happened at the same time as Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya visited Cairo for more ceasefire talks. These talks aim to solve issues with Israel and prevent fighting from starting again in Gaza.

On Friday, Hamas said it would release an American-Israeli prisoner if Israel starts the next phase of ceasefire talks to end the conflict. But Israel rejected this offer, calling it “psychological warfare.”

Deadly Strikes Target Media Workers as Violence Escalates in Gaza

Hamas said it was ready to free Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli soldier from New Jersey, after mediators suggested talks on the second phase of the ceasefire deal.

Israel, however, wants to extend the temporary first phase of the ceasefire. This idea is supported by US envoy Steve Witkoff. Hamas says it will only release more prisoners if the second phase begins.

During the first six weeks of the truce, fighters released 33 prisoners. Eight of them were already dead. In return, Israel freed about 1,800 Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas said the next move is up to Israel after it offered to release an Israeli-US prisoner and return the bodies of four others as part of the truce talks.

A statement from the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said, “This terrible crime is part of the ongoing attacks on Palestinian journalists. They risk their lives to show the truth and reveal the crimes of the occupation to the world.”

“These violent attacks on journalists are a war crime and clearly break international laws, especially the Geneva Convention, which protects journalists during conflicts.”

Ismail Thawabteh, the director of Hamas-affiliated media in Gaza, said local photojournalists were killed while using a drone to film a Ramzan dining table in Beit Lahia.

He said they were “directly targeted by Israeli forces in two airstrikes, even though their work was clear.”

March 16, 2025
US Hamas Talks Confirmed: Direct Negotiations Over Gaza Captives

The US Hamas talks are happening while Israel is still blocking humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. This comes after the first phase of the ceasefire ended. Moreover the United States is engaging in direct talks with Hamas.

The United States is holding direct talks with Hamas while ceasefire negotiations between the Palestinian armed group and Israel remain uncertain.

US confirms direct talks with Hamas over Gaza captives.

“These talks are ongoing, but I will not share details because American lives are at stake.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday. Confirming a report by Axios media outlet that talks between the two sides were taking place.

The Trump administration has been holding direct talks with Hamas . White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that talking to people around the world is important to protect American interests. She explained that President Biden believes in open discussions to do what is best for the American people.

Hamas says talks with US focused on release of American hostage in Gaza.

Former President Trump chose Adam Boehler as the special envoy for hostage affairs, and Boehler joined the direct talks with Hamas.

A Hamas official told AFP news agency that negotiations are happening over Israeli and American captives held in Gaza.

Since 1997, the US has considered Hamas a “terrorist” group and had previously refused to speak to them directly.

Israel said the US talked to them before having direct talks with Hamas.

US President Donald Trump has issued what he called a “last warning”.

Israeli officials say that about 24 captives are still alive in Gaza, including Edan Alexander, an American citizen. They also believe the bodies of at least 35 others are still there. Furthermore reporter Hamdah Salhut , speaking from Jordan, said the discussions were about the captives.

The goal of the talks is to bring back the bodies of Israeli-American captives and to secure the release of one Israeli captive with US citizenship who is believed to be alive.

The US says its envoys can talk to anyone. Furthermore they are not only negotiating for American captives but also trying to help end the war.

Aid blocked: keypoints of US Hamas Talks

After the first phase of the ceasefire ended, Israel stopped sending humanitarian aid, including fuel, food, and medicine, into Gaza on Sunday. According to US Hamas talks the Israeli government wants to pressure Hamas to agree to new terms. Therefore, Hamas criticized this move, saying it broke the original agreement.

On Wednesday, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany warned Israel not to use aid as a “political tool.” They urged Israel to allow humanitarian

France, the UK, and Germany said that blocking aid to Gaza could break international humanitarian law. They stressed that humanitarian aid should not depend on a ceasefire and also not be used for political reasons.

The three countries also called the situation in Gaza “catastrophic.”

US-designated terror group accuses Trump, Netanyahuof trying to back out of talks to secure second phase of ceasefire in Gaza.

March 14, 2025
Israel cuts off electricity supply to Gaza as new truce talks set to resume

The Israel power cut puts water treatment plants at risk. While Palestinians struggle due to an ongoing aid blockade during Ramadan.

Israel’s Energy Minister, Eli Cohen, has ordered an immediate stop to Gaza’s electricity supply. This could affect the operation of desalination plants, making the ongoing aid shortage worse during Ramadan.

On Sunday, they announced it would continue blocking all goods from entering Gaza. Moreover, Israel stopped supplies to over two million people more than a week ago.. Breaking a ceasefire deal that ended the 15-month Gaza war.

In a post on X, Cohen said he had signed the order to “cut off electricity to the Gaza Strip immediately.” He added, “Enough with the talk, it’s time for action!”

Israeli airstrikes have killed nearly 50,000 Palestinians and destroyed large parts of Gaza.

They wants to extend the first phase of a three-step deal, but Hamas insists on moving to phase two, as both sides had originally agreed. Furthermore, Experts say Israel’s refusal to move to phase two suggests it does not want to pull its troops from the Philadelphi Corridor. A narrow strip of land between Gaza and Egypt.

Hamas has accused Israel of using “unfair and unacceptable pressure” by cutting off electricity to Gaza to force the group to release captives.

“We strongly condemn Israel’s decision to cut off electricity after already blocking food, medicine, and water,” said Ezzat al-Rishq, a Hamas political leader. Furthermore, he called it “a desperate attempt to pressure our people through unfair and unacceptable tactics.”

Aid groups and human rights organizations have accused Israel of violating international laws by stopping aid from reaching Gaza.

People in Gaza are struggling to find bread and basic supplies because Israel’s blockade has forced many bakeries and shops to close.

Reporter Hind Khoudary, speaking from Gaza City, said that even though the heavy airstrikes have stopped. Furthermore, Israel’s blockade of supplies for more than a week is still causing people to suffer.

“Many Palestinians cannot afford to buy food, and most of Gaza’s people now depend on food aid,” Moreover she said. Israel’s actions are affecting every part of Palestinian life, including food, water, and electricity. Khoudary said. She added that the situation is still “very bad.”

Palestinians Killed in Gaza by Isreal

On Sunday, an Israeli attack in Gaza killed two Palestinians, according to an reporter .Meanwhile, officials will begin new ceasefire talks in Doha on Monday.

The attack happened in the Shujayea neighborhood of Gaza City and injured several others. Doctors at al-Ahli Arab Hospital said some of the wounded are in critical condition.

Israel’s military said the airstrike targeted fighters who were seen near Israeli troops and trying to plant an explosive device in northern Gaza.

According to reporters about Israel

On Sunday, Adam Boehler, an envoy for U.S. President Donald Trump, told NBC News that U.S. meetings with Hamas in Doha to discuss the release of captives in Gaza were very “helpful.”

Boehler said he believes a solution for Gaza could be reached within weeks, but he did not give details.

Earlier, Trump suggested a controversial plan to remove Palestinians from Gaza, which was widely criticized. In response, Arab leaders proposed a different plan.

Their proposal includes rebuilding Gaza with international funds and having the Palestinian Authority, based in Ramallah, take control of the territory again.

“We need more discussions, but it’s a good first step,” said Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, in Washington.

March 10, 2025
Gaza Hidden Gem: Noor’s Salon Brings Beauty to the Rubble

Noor’s Salon – A Symbol of Hope in Gaza

Noor al-Ghamari set up a tent in the middle of the rubble to help women of Gaza. Who needed a safe place to rest. She wanted to give them a little time for self-care. In the tent, women could relax, talk, and feel cared for, even in the middle of the hardship around them.

Gaza City – Amani Dweima came to the salon with her 16-year-old daughter, Aya.

Amani, who is 39 years old, wants to shape her eyebrows. Aya wants a full face of makeup. They are getting ready for a wedding that will happen after iftar.

Amani says, “My niece is getting married”. We are having a small family gathering to celebrate her before the groom takes her to their tent.”

Challenges of Running a Salon in War-Torn Gaza

The salon is a small blue tent. Inside, there is one table with a broken mirror, hair removal tools, creams, and some makeup.

Outside the tent, in al-Shujaeya, east of Gaza City, a white sign with handwritten words says: “Noor’s Salon.” A curtain covers the entrance, and it hangs nearby.

This salon belongs to Noor al-Ghamari. She is a young woman who left nursing school to follow her dream of working with hair and makeup.

She set up the salon three weeks ago on a broken sidewalk. Furthermore, it was the only place she could use when she and her family returned to the north after being displaced to the south.

After saying hello to Amani and Aya, she takes a small piece of sugaring paste. She gently kneads it in her hands to make it soft, then starts working.

Providing Beauty Services in a Conflict Zone

“Since I opened, so many women have come to me with heartbreaking stories … about losing their families and loved ones. They arrive exhausted, their faces drained of light,” Noor said.

The idea of a beauty salon in the midst of war may seem odd, Amani and Noor agree, but the act of self-care can help women.

“I try to give them a moment of comfort, a small escape. My main goal is for them to leave feeling a little lighter and happier.”

Amani relocated to Deir el-Balah and has only recently returned to the north. In the early days of the war, she never thought about going to a beauty salon.

Later, she found a similar salon in Deir el-Balah and started going as often as she could.

“Taking care of myself changes my mood, especially when I see myself in the mirror. I always want to look neat and presentable.

“The sadness around us never ends. Going to a beauty salon is a small escape from all the difficult times,” she says.

When she returned to the north, she was very happy to see Noor’s Salon. Right away, she told her neighbors and relatives about it.

Noor’s Impact on the Community of Gaza

Noor believes the war has been especially hard on women in Gaza. Furthermore, it has taken away their homes, their safety, and even their ability to care for themselves because they are focused on surviving.

“I saw many women with skin burned by the sun because they live in tents. Moreover, they spend their days cooking over wood fires, washing clothes by hand, and carrying heavy water containers,” she says.

“On top of that, they have no privacy in the crowded camps. And they live in constant fear of bombings and the horrors of war.”

“I met many women who didn’t like even one stray hair on their face or eyebrows. Some came to me every week, while others came now and then,” Noor says.

She remembers one client, a woman in her early 30s, who had suffered a great loss. Furthermore, her parents and all her siblings were killed in an Israeli air raid.

Because of her grief, she lost the desire to do anything.

“I felt so sorry for her,” Noor says.

“I gave her a full treatment—threading, eyebrow shaping, a haircut, and even a free face massage and mask.”

“When she looked in the mirror, her eyes filled with happy tears.”

Holding on to Dreams

Noor was planning to open her own real salon when the war in Gaza started.

Like everyone else, her life changed completely. She, her parents, and her eight siblings had to flee south after Israeli evacuation orders.

For the first two months, she only thought about surviving and helping her family.

“But after some time, when we settled in a displacement camp in the south, I heard women say, ‘I wish there was a hairdresser or a salon nearby so we could take care of ourselves a little.’”

“I would respond: ‘I’m a beautician!’” Noor laughs.

“The women held onto me like I was a treasure, and I started working right away.”

Some women came to her, while she visited others in their tents, depending on what they needed.

Now, her work is an important way to earn money for her and also her family during the war. But she cannot charge her five to eight customers a day very much.

“I live here, I know the situation,” she says, explaining why her prices are low.

March 9, 2025
Eyal Zamir Appointed as New IDF Chief Amid Ongoing Conflict with Hamas

Introduction of Eyal Zamir

Eyal Zamir is takes over Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, who announces in January that he would step down. Halevi decided to resign before last week’s report, which looked into the military’s serious mistakes during the Hamas-led attack on 7th October , 2023.. His appointment comes at a time when Israel is facing continued conflict with Hamas, creating significant challenges for the military.

More about Eyal Zamir

Eyal Zamir is experienced military leader also with a history in the IDF. He served as key positions including Deputy Chief of Staff and the head of the Southern Command before becoming the Chief of Staff. Deep understanding of military strategy and combat operations makes him a strong choice for this role.

Challenges Ahead

Zamir takes charge at the difficult period as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues. Tensions remain high, with frequent confrontation and also security problems .

His leadership will be tested when he will works to protect Israeli citizens while controlling international pressure for peace negotiations.

Government and Public Reactions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Zamir’s appointment calling him “capable and dedicated leader”. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also expressed confidence in Zamir’s ability to strengthen the IDF.

Among the public their reactions are mixed. Some believe Zamir’s experience will help bring stability, while others are worried about the ongoing violence and its impact on civilians. Internationally, this appointment is getting attention, with global leaders closely monitoring how the new IDF chief will handle the situation.

Just some hours after starting his new job, Israel’s military chief, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, met with top army leaders on Wednesday evening. He made many big decisions, including setting up a group of outside experts to review how the military handled the Hamas attack on 7th October, 2023. He also decided to shut down the army’s Iran directorate and create a new tank brigade for safety.

In November 2018, Netanyahu promoted Zamir to deputy chief of staff.

During protests in May, when 16 Palestinians were killed in one day, Zamir defended his actions. He said his forces saw people trying to carry out attacks while hiding among the rioters.

In 2021, he left the military and moved to the United States. There, he worked as a research fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. He returned to Israel in 2023 and became the director-general of the Defence Ministry.

During a meeting with top army generals and some civilian members, Zamir said that 2025 would be “a year of war,” focusing on the Gaza Strip and Iran while strengthening Israel’s position in other areas.

He told the generals that bringing back the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza is “a moral duty” and promised that the army would work to return all of them home. To show his commitment, he placed photos of the hostages in his office until they are freed.

Zamir also announced the start of a new multi-year plan for the military, with planning set to begin in the second half of this year.

Additionally, he appointed two senior military officers, with approval from Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Zamir made more decisions, including appointing his deputy Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai to also serve as the “chief of force build-up.”

He also decided to shut down the Strategy and Third-Circle Directorate, which handles the military’s Iran-related issues. This will happen within the next month, and furthermore its responsibilities will be given to other units. Zamir declares this change will help improve how the military deals with Iran, foreign relations, and strategy.

As the new leader of Israel’s military, Zamir will focus on security, military readiness, and international relations. His decisions will shape Israel’s defense strategy and impact stability in the region.

Conclusion

Eyal Zamir becoming the IDF Chief of Staff is an important event, especially during the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

With his many years of military experience, he has the tough job of leading Israel’s army during difficult times. The world will be watching to see how he handles the challenges ahead.

March 7, 2025