By WAFAA SHURAFA and SAMY MAGDY (Associated Press)
RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinians started fasting for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Monday with cease-fire talks at a standstill, starvation worsening throughout the Gaza Strip and no finish in sight to the struggle between Israel and Hamas.
Prayers have been held outdoors amid the rubble of demolished buildings. Fairy lights and decorations have been hung in packed tent camps, and a video from a U.N.-school-turned-shelter confirmed kids dancing and spraying foam in celebration as a person sang right into a loudspeaker.
But there was little to have fun after 5 months of struggle that has killed over 30,000 Palestinians and left a lot of Gaza in ruins. Families would ordinarily break the each day sunrise-to-sundown quick with vacation feasts, however even the place meals is accessible, there’s little past canned items, and the costs are too excessive for a lot of.
“You don’t see anyone with joy in their eyes,” mentioned Sabah al-Hendi, who was looking for meals Sunday within the southernmost metropolis of Rafah. “Every family is sad. Every family has a martyr.”
The United States, Qatar and Egypt had hoped to dealer a cease-fire forward of the usually joyous vacation that would come with the discharge of dozens of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of a considerable amount of humanitarian assist, however the talks have stalled.
Hamas is demanding ensures that any such settlement will result in an finish to the struggle. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected that demand, vowing to proceed the offensive till “total victory” towards the militant group and the discharge of all of the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
Netanyahu mentioned Monday that Israel had killed “Hamas’ number four” chief and added that extra focused killings have been to return.
“Three, two, and one are on the way. They are all dead men. We will reach them all,” he mentioned.
Netanyahu was possible referencing the assassination of Saleh Arouri, the deputy political head of Hamas and a founding father of the group’s army wing, who was killed in a blast in Beirut in January. Israel was extensively believed to be behind the blast, though it didn’t take duty.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel and Hamas to honor the spirit of Ramadan by “silencing the guns” and releasing all of the hostages.
“The eyes of the world are watching. The eyes of history are watching. We cannot look away,” he mentioned. “We must act to avoid more preventable deaths. … Desperate civilians need action — immediate action.”
The struggle started when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 folks, largely civilians, and taking round 250 hostage. Hamas continues to be believed to be holding round 100 captives and the stays of 30 others following an trade final yr.
The struggle has pushed round 80% of Gaza’s inhabitants of two.3 million folks from their houses and pushed lots of of 1000’s to the brink of famine. Health officers say a minimum of 25 folks, largely kids, have died from malnutrition and dehydration in northern Gaza.
Israeli forces have largely sealed off the north since October, and assist teams say Israeli restrictions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of legislation and order have made it practically unattainable to soundly ship desperately wanted meals in a lot of the territory.
Israel has vowed to increase its offensive to the southern metropolis of Rafah, the place half of Gaza’s inhabitants has sought refuge, with out saying the place civilians would go to flee the onslaught. President Joe Biden has mentioned an assault on Rafah can be a “red line” for him, however that the United States would proceed to offer army assist to Israel.
Biden acknowledged in his annual Ramadan message that the holy month comes “at a moment of intense pain.”
“As Muslims gather around the world over the coming days and weeks to break their fast, the suffering of the Palestinian people will be front of mind for many. It is front of mind for me,” he mentioned.
The United States and different nations have begun airdropping assist, however humanitarian teams say such efforts are pricey and inadequate. The U.S. army has additionally begun transporting tools to construct a sea bridge to ship assist, however it’s going to possible be a number of weeks earlier than it’s operational.
A ship belonging to Spanish assist group Open Arms was anticipated to make a pilot voyage to Gaza from close by Cyprus, although it was not clear when it will depart.
The United States has offered essential army assist to Israel and shielded it from worldwide requires a cease-fire whereas urging it to do extra to keep away from harming civilians and facilitate humanitarian assist.
Gaza’s Health Ministry mentioned Monday that a minimum of 31,112 Palestinians have been killed for the reason that struggle started, together with 67 our bodies delivered to hospitals previously 24 hours. The ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its rely, but it surely has mentioned ladies and youngsters make up two-thirds of the lifeless.
Israel blames the civilian loss of life toll on Hamas as a result of the militants combat in dense, residential areas and place fighters, tunnels and rocket launchers close to houses, colleges and mosques. The army has mentioned it has killed 13,000 Hamas fighters, with out offering proof.
Speaking on Saturday to MSNBC, Biden mentioned Israel had the best to answer the Oct. 7 assault however that Netanyahu “must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost.” He added that “you cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead.”
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Magdy reported from Cairo. AP journalist Edith Lederer contributed reporting from the United Nations.
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Find extra of AP’s protection at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
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