UN says Israel-Gaza war ‘staining humanity’ on eve of 100th day
- The conflict has unleashed a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and US and British strikes on Yemen’s Houthis have intensified fears of a regional escalation
- An Israeli siege has sparked acute shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel in Gaza, where the health system is collapsing
The United Nations said on Saturday the Gaza war was “staining humanity” on the eve of its 100th day as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down on vows to defeat Hamas.
The devastating conflict has unleashed a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and fears of a regional escalation intensified after US and British forces struck pro-Hamas Houthi rebels in Yemen on Friday following attacks on Red Sea shipping.
The war was triggered on October 7 when Hamas militants launched an unprecedented attack from the Gaza Strip that resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an Agence France-Presse (AFP) tally based on official figures.
Hamas also seized about 250 hostages, 132 of whom Israel says remain in Gaza, including at least 25 believed to have been killed.
Israel vowed to destroy Gaza’s Palestinian Islamist rulers and launched a relentless bombardment that has killed at least 23,843 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest toll from the territory’s health ministry.
An Israeli siege has sparked acute shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel in Gaza, where the health system is collapsing.