Overview
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a large-scale ground assault in Gaza to begin within days, aimed at defeating Hamas and rescuing hostages.
- Gaza faces a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with Israeli military officials warning of potential starvation due to a blockade that has halted aid since March.
- The UN and humanitarian organizations have issued dire alerts, with UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher warning of possible genocide in Gaza.
- A U.S.-based private foundation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, plans to distribute aid by the end of May, with Israel agreeing to secure distribution points.
- Recent Israeli airstrikes have killed over 80 people, with ongoing violence exacerbating the suffering of Gaza's 2.1 million residents.