Rising conflict in Gaza sparks regional spillover and humanitarian crisis

An Israeli air strike on a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) facility in western Gaza City killed five Palestinians on Sunday, local sources reported. The attack targeted a vocational college in northern Gaza, causing extensive damage and several injuries. 

Those injured were transported to Baptist Hospital in central Gaza City. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incident.

As of Sunday, the ongoing conflict has resulted in a death toll of 37,598 Palestinians since October 2023. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated on Sunday that its operations are continuing in the southern and central regions of the Gaza Strip as part of a large-scale offensive against Hamas.

Gallant meets Biden officials in D.C.

In a related development, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant flew to Washington, D.C., on Sunday to meet senior Biden administration officials to discuss the conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. 

Before departing for the U.S., Gallant issued a statement saying that Israel is prepared to take any necessary actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and other regions. He mentioned that he would be meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Gallant's visit came as Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, repeated his claim on Sunday that the Biden administration was presiding over a "dramatic drop" in arms shipments to Israel over the past few months. He mentioned that while deliveries had arrived sporadically, overall munitions remained largely delayed.

Netanyahu stated that Israel had approached the U.S. multiple times about the issue but received no substantial change despite various explanations. Previously, he criticized the Biden administration for allegedly withholding weapons and ammunition, a claim denied by the White House. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated they were unaware of what Netanyahu was referring to.

Netanyahu also announced on Sunday that the phase of intense fighting against Hamas in the Gaza Strip is nearing its end. However, he emphasized that the war will not conclude until Hamas no longer controls the Palestinian enclave. 

After the intense fighting in Gaza subsides, Netanyahu said that Israel would be able to deploy more forces to the northern border with Lebanon, where clashes with Iran-backed Hezbollah have intensified.

Spillover effects

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Houthi group claimed responsibility for attacks on two cargo ships, the Transworld Navigator in the Red Sea and the Stolt Sequoia in the Indian Ocean, using unmanned boats and cruise missiles. 

It said these actions were in response to the ships violating the group's opposition to entering Israeli ports. The Yemeni government confirmed that the Transworld Navigator was damaged but continued to its destination with no reported injuries. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations also reported an incident involving a ship impacted by an unmanned aerial system.

These attacks are part of a broader Houthi campaign against vessels linked to Israel amid ongoing conflicts, which began in November 2023, targeting ships in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Diplomatic efforts amidst ongoing conflict

On the diplomatic front, Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met with German Bundestag member Aydan Ozoguz on Sunday to discuss halting the aggression in Gaza and addressing the resulting humanitarian crisis. 

The two sides focused on joint cooperation in providing sufficient and sustainable humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis since the war began.

Safadi called for immediate international action to stop Israeli aggression and violations of international law, warning of a worsening humanitarian disaster that has reached the brink of famine due to the ongoing aggression and the prevention of the necessary amount of aid from entering and being distributed, as well as its failure to fulfill its legal obligations as the occupying power.

(With input from agencies)