GAZA CITY — The Israel–Palestine conflict has escalated further this week as Israeli forces launched a wave of intense airstrikes across Gaza on April 22, marking one of the most extensive military campaigns in recent months. The strikes, which targeted infrastructure allegedly linked to Hamas operations, have resulted in significant civilian casualties and the destruction of vital humanitarian equipment, including rescue tools.
The already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. The Israeli-imposed blockade, in effect since March, has crippled the delivery of essential supplies including food, water, and medical aid. The United Nations-backed polio vaccination campaign for over 600,000 children has been suspended due to lack of access, with reports indicating that more than 60,000 children are already suffering from malnutrition.
In a rare political development, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas publicly urged Hamas to disarm and hand over governance of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. This is the first such statement since the war reignited following Hamas’s deadly cross-border assault on Israel on October 7, 2023. Abbas’s call is seen as a strategic attempt to reassert the PA’s legitimacy under mounting international pressure for a unified Palestinian leadership.
Meanwhile, Hamas has expressed willingness to consider a long-term ceasefire, but only under conditions that include a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and assurances against further military incursions. The group continues to reject temporary ceasefire agreements, citing a breakdown of trust with both Israeli and American mediators after past accords were violated.
Global concern is mounting over the worsening conditions in Gaza. European nations including France, Germany, and the UK have condemned the use of aid denial as a political tool, urging Israel to restore humanitarian corridors. The European Union has warned that such tactics may constitute violations of international law.
As the humanitarian toll climbs and hostilities continue, diplomatic efforts are underway. A Hamas delegation is currently en route to Cairo to explore a potential long-term truce, possibly in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages taken during the October 2023 attacks. Israel, however, maintains that the blockade is lawful and necessary to pressure Hamas for those hostages’ release.
With no resolution in sight, the region remains on edge as both military and diplomatic fronts evolve rapidly.