On the ninth day of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Israel announced the resumption of water supply to Gaza, although concerns about water availability persist, along with the notable developments of reopening the aid crossing to Gaza and introducing David Satterfield as the US Special Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs in the Middle East.
In Gaza, Israeli shelling and airstrikes have resulted in 2,450 Palestinian deaths and 9,200 injuries, as per the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The Palestinian Civil Defence team has identified over 1,000 individuals trapped beneath the rubble from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. Many were successfully rescued within 24 hours of the buildings being struck.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office reported more than 1,400 fatalities and over 3,800 injured Israelis, with many evacuated to hospitals, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.
‘A Publicity Stunt’
Israel has restored water supply to the Gaza Strip, according to a senior Israeli official. This supply had been halted following the Hamas terror attack last Saturday.
Israel’s Energy Minister revealed that the decision to resume water supplies to southern Gaza was agreed upon by Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Biden, aligning with Israel’s policy of tightening the blockade on the Hamas-controlled territory.
Nevertheless, Gazans consider it a “publicity stunt,” with no tangible improvement in water availability, as reported by citizens and aid workers.
“I think only very few people will get water. The focus right now should be on food and fuel for electricity,” said Refaat Al-Areer, a Gaza-based writer.
“Many water pipes were damaged”, in the Israeli shelling, Al-Areer said. And “without electricity, most households will not get the water as we need water pumps to fill the water tanks.”
Rafah Border Opens
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, met with Egyptian President El-Sisi in Egypt on Sunday, focusing on improving the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The Rafah border crossing, controlled by Egypt, has been closed since Tuesday due to Israeli airstrikes, leaving Palestinians and foreigners stranded in Gaza, while aid trucks bound for Gaza have been waiting in El Arish, 50 kilometers (30 miles) away.
Secretary Blinken announced Sunday the reopening of the crossing for aid into the blockaded strip and introduced diplomat David Satterfield as the US Special Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs in the Middle East.
On the same day, Egypt also disclosed plans to host a summit on the future of the Palestinian cause.
France and Iran’s Talks
Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi engaged in a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, focusing on the evolving situation in Palestine.
President Macron cautioned President Raisi to prevent any further escalation of the conflict, particularly into Lebanon, while President Raisi conveyed that the Gaza conflict could broaden if Israel does not cease its attacks.
Raisi has been actively engaging in phone conversations with various world leaders in recent days to discuss the situation in Palestine.
Netanyahu Invites Biden to Visit Israel
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended an invitation to US President Joe Biden to visit Israel this week, which the White House is currently considering favorably.
Last night, Prime Minister Netanyahu had his fifth conversation with President Biden since the outbreak of the Gaza Strip conflict.
The Prime Minister’s Office stated that “Netanyahu thanked Biden for the unconditional American support for the State of Israel and for its right to defend itself.”
French Foreign Minister Visits Beirut on Monday
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna arrived in Israel on Sunday and met with the families of Israeli hostages.
She is scheduled to visit Beirut on Monday to discuss the political and humanitarian situation involving Israel, Hamas, and Lebanon.
Katrine Dige Houmøller
