The Middle East is still in a state of tension as Israel mulls over how to react to the latest developments and deals with the catastrophic effects of the conflict in Gaza. Since the crisis started on October 7, almost 13,800 children have sadly died, with one kid dying or being injured every ten minutes, according to UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. Thousands of children are left orphaned after over 10,000 women also died, according to the UN Entity for Gender Equality.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will decide how to respond to Iran’s latest attack on its own, while the military cabinet of Israel is now discussing the best course of action. While US expects Israel to respond minimally, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for a robust response.
Qatar, however, has voiced worries about being used for political purposes in its mediation position between Israel and Hamas. An Israeli attack in Beit Hanoun, Gaza, which resulted in deaths and the imprisonment of residents, further inflamed the situation. In addition, 14 individuals, including eight children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Maghazi refugee camp.
Relief efforts are underway in Gaza despite the ongoing fighting; the first shipment arrived through the Kerem Shalom Crossing. But after an attack on a town in northern Israel that left multiple people wounded, Israeli fighter jets continued to target suspected Hezbollah locations in southern Lebanon, escalating tensions.