Amid an escalating conflict in Gaza, Israel has ramped up its military actions, supported by the U.S. with a significant sale of tank ammunition. This comes after the U.S. vetoed a UN resolution. The situation in Gaza is critical, with over 2 million Palestinians caught amid heavy bombardment, even in areas deemed safe. There have been distressing claims of mistreatment by Palestinians recently released from Israeli custody, and the casualty count has exceeded 17,700, overwhelming hospitals. The Israeli military blames Hamas for civilian losses, accusing them of using people as shields. A failed truce in December led to thousands of Palestinian deaths and unresolved hostage situations.
Gaza is grappling with acute food shortages and difficulty in receiving humanitarian aid, partly due to the Biden administration's reluctance to support an indefinite cease-fire due to concerns about Hamas. Nonetheless, global protests are calling for peace.
As violence escalates, with intense shelling forcing thousands from southern Gaza to flee to overcrowded safe zones, Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra has joined the call for a ceasefire on Instagram. She particularly highlights the plight of children. The message aligns with UNICEF's plea for lasting humanitarian peace, echoed by its Executive Director Catherine Russell. It stresses the extreme danger faced by children in Gaza, pointing out the region's severe conditions.