Israel-Hamas conflict: UN staff fatality to ‘genocide’, here are the top developments

Israel-Hamas conflict update: US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated that the Biden administration does not perceive the situation in Gaza as a genocide.

Death toll now surpasses 35,000, according to Gaza health officials. AP

Amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, stated on Monday that the Biden administration does not perceive the situation in Gaza as a genocide. “We have been firmly on record rejecting that proposition,” Sullivan told reporters at the White House.

Israeli military operations, meanwhile, intensified on Monday, with forces advancing into Gaza’s northern region to reclaim territory from Hamas fighters.

At the same time, in the southern area, military tanks and troops moved along a highway into Rafah, compelling Palestinian civilians to seek refuge.

Other recent developments:

Casualties: The mounting death toll now surpasses 35,000 according to Gaza health officials.
UN staff fatality: Tragically, a foreign UN security staff member became the first international fatality in the Gaza war after a UN-marked vehicle was struck while en route to a hospital in Rafah.
Humanitarian supplies disrupted: Israeli operations have disrupted aid efforts, with a main crossing point for humanitarian supplies in Rafah being closed.
Israeli Independence Day: Against the backdrop of escalating violence, Israel subdued its Independence Day celebrations on Monday. Traditional festivities have been toned down, and fireworks were cancelled.
Protests within Israel: On Saturday, thousands of Israeli citizens gathered in the streets of Tel Aviv in Israel, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration to take further action to secure the release of hostages held by the Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
US criticises Israel: On Friday, the Biden administration issued its strongest criticism of Israel to date, suggesting that the country may have breached international humanitarian law by employing US-supplied weapons during its military campaign in Gaza.
UN General Assembly Vote: The United Nations General Assembly recently backed a Palestinian bid to become a full UN member, signalling widespread support for Palestinian statehood.