Although negotiations between Israel and the Islamic organization Hamas regarding a cessation of hostilities have resumed, the Israeli military continues to carry out attacks in the Gaza Strip, and there is no foreseeable improvement in the humanitarian situation.
It was announced that US Secretary of State Blinken, who has begun his tour of the Middle East, will visit Israel on the 22nd, and is expected to emphasize the need to protect civilians.
*We will keep you updated on developments regarding Israel and Palestine as of March 21st, Japan time.
The Israeli military continues to carry out attacks in various parts of the Gaza Strip, killing a militant in charge of Hamas operations in Rafah in the south, and approximately 90 fighters at Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip. announced on the 20th that they had detained more than 160 people.
According to health authorities in the Gaza Strip, on the 20th, 104 people died in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 31,923.
The Palestinian Water Authority has also warned that 40% of the water infrastructure in the Gaza Strip is out of service due to the attack, and the amount of water available to residents has been reduced to about one-thirtieth of what it was before the attack. Masu.
As the humanitarian situation continues to worsen, negotiations are underway in Qatar in the Middle East regarding a cessation of fighting between Israel and Hamas and the release of hostages, but even after negotiations resume, Prime Minister Netanyahu has continued to hold evacuees, etc. The United States remains poised to carry out ground operations in Rafah, home to nearly 1.5 million people.
Amid strong concerns expressed by the international community that the attack on Rafah would lead to the casualties of many residents, US Secretary of State Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia on the 20th to begin his visit to the Middle East region.
The State Department said Secretary Blinken will visit Israel on the 22nd, where he is expected to discuss the operation against Rafah and emphasize the need to protect civilians.
Doctors in Gaza call for immediate ceasefire
On the 19th, four doctors from the United States, United Kingdom, and France who conducted medical work in the Gaza Strip held a press conference in New York to convey the plight of the people there and appeal for an immediate ceasefire.
Among them, Dr. Nick Maynard, who was dispatched by a charity organization in London to work at Al-Aqsa Hospital in the central city of Derbarah, said, ``One child had burns so severe that the bones of her face were visible. "She had no choice but to die in agony on the emergency room floor," he said, explaining the harsh conditions in the Gaza Strip.
He added, ``If there is a ground invasion in southern Rafah, there will be a huge number of deaths. There are no intensive care beds in Rafah. The situation will worsen immeasurably.'' The only way to reach the right places is through a ceasefire."
In addition, Dr. Zahia Sahoor, who works for an American NGO, said, ``The only country that can influence this situation is the United States.'' We want to make sure they know what we know.''The doctors will travel to Washington to meet with the Biden administration and other officials.