The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates unabated, marking its 31st day with Israel’s sustained attacks on Gaza. The relentless onslaught has wreaked significant havoc, with multiple explosions echoing throughout the region and painting a grim tableau of destruction.

Mounting Casualties Among UN Workers

Amid the escalating conflict, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has reported a disturbing increase in casualties among UN workers. Five more UN employees have been killed in Gaza within the past 48 hours, bringing the total death toll to 79 since Hamas initiated attacks on Israel on October 7. This marks the highest number of fatalities among UN aid workers within such a short span in any global conflict.

Healthcare Crisis and Communication Blackout

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed grave concern over reported communication outages in Gaza. Since October 7, the WHO has recorded 102 attacks on healthcare establishments, resulting in the tragic loss of hundreds of lives and extensive damage to numerous healthcare facilities. With the majority of its team in Gaza now unreachable, the ongoing crisis has only deepened.

US Submarine Arrives in the Middle East

In response to the ongoing conflict, the United States has dispatched a guided missile submarine to the Middle East. The strategic move aims to deter regional adversaries, particularly Iran, as the Biden administration strives to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from spiralling into a broader regional war. The submarine supplements US Naval assets already present in the region, which include two carrier strike groups and an amphibious ready group.

Tensions Simmer at Lebanon-Israel Border

Meanwhile, the Lebanon-Israel border remains a hotbed of tension, with both sides reporting civilian casualties from ongoing skirmishes between the Israel Defense Forces and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warns that further escalation by the Israeli army would provoke a significant response. Yet, he reiterated Hezbollah’s primary goal of achieving a ceasefire in Gaza.