DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip - A far-right Israeli minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited and prayed at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site on Sunday, provoking regional outrage and heightening concerns regarding further escalation of ongoing tensions. This visit occurred against a backdrop of severe humanitarian crises in Gaza, where hospitals reported that at least 33 Palestinians seeking food aid were killed by Israeli fire.
As Israel faces widespread international criticism for creating famine-like conditions in Gaza, Ben-Gvir's visit to the Temple Mount, known in Islam as the Noble Sanctuary, threatens to hinder international mediation efforts aimed at bringing an end to the Israeli military offensive that has extended nearly two years. The Temple Mount is revered as the holiest site in Judaism, while the Al-Aqsa Mosque situated there is the third-holiest site in Islam. Historically, visits by Israeli officials to this site have been viewed as provocations across the Muslim world.
During Ben-Gvir's visit, he called for the annexation of the Gaza Strip and suggested that Palestinians should be encouraged to leave, rhetoric that complicates negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict. His actions come in the wake of Hamas releasing distressing videos showcasing emaciated Israeli hostages, which sparked public outrage and calls for the government to expedite efforts to secure their release. Over 50 Israeli hostages were taken during Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, which set off the current conflict.
Following the visit, Palestinian leaders, along with Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, condemned Ben-Gvir's actions as incitement. The visit resulted in warnings from Palestinian militant groups, reiterating that provocative visits could lead to violent clashes similar to those seen during the 11-day war in 2021. Additionally, the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed to have launched drones toward Israel as a reaction to Ben-Gvir’s visit, although Israeli military sources reported intercepting these threats.
The situation has escalated due to the distressing reports of hostages in dire conditions. Hundreds gathered in Tel Aviv demanding urgent negotiations for their release following the distressing videos released by Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Hamas seeks to leverage these horrific depictions for psychological warfare against Israel, asserting that they "do not want a deal." In response, Israel's mission to the United Nations requested an emergency meeting regarding the hostages, scheduled for Tuesday.
As the humanitarian crisis unfolds, severe conditions in Gaza led to security forces opening fire on crowds desperately seeking food assistance, resulting in 33 fatalities on Sunday alone. Street accounts describe moments of chaos and violence as people surged toward aid distribution points. Multiple witnesses detailed encounters with live ammunition as they attempted to reach humanitarian sites, with hospitals confirming the identity of several victims of these shootings.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported a staff member killed by Israeli shelling, prompting further international condemnation regarding the violence faced by medical responders. Meanwhile, Gaza's Health Ministry reported a grim toll of malnutrition-related deaths, indicating a far-reaching humanitarian crisis, as 82 adults and 93 children have succumbed to starvation since the beginning of the conflict.
Although Israel has claimed to have increased aid flows, humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations, continue to assert that the response remains grossly inadequate, with claims of needing 500 to 600 aid trucks per day. As the conflict continues, the toll continues to rise, with Gaza's Health Ministry reporting over 60,800 Palestinian deaths since hostilities began, emphasizing that the fatality count does not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
This ongoing crisis highlights the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and violence, leaving many in need of immediate assistance while diplomatic solutions remain elusive.
