Overnight Israeli drone strikes in the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of at least six Palestinians, targeting police posts in the Bureij refugee camp and the al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis. The strikes, which occurred into Friday, have drawn sharp condemnation from Hamas, which accused Israel of undermining mediator efforts during a ceasefire phase.
Medical sources confirmed that four bodies and several wounded individuals were brought to the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, with some of the injured reported to be in critical condition. The Israeli military’s strike at the al-Maslakh intersection in al-Mawasi took place outside its direct control, intensifying the volatile situation in the region.
The drone attacks come amid escalating tensions as Israel has ordered 37 aid groups to halt their operations in the occupied territories, setting a compliance deadline of March 1. This directive affects 17 international NGOs, including prominent organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam, and the Norwegian Refugee Council. These groups have challenged the order in Israel’s Supreme Court, with Oxfam International warning that forced closures could begin as early as Saturday.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with families heavily reliant on external assistance due to ongoing restrictions on aid entry. The pressure on international humanitarian groups has been mounting since October 7, 2023, exacerbated by military incursions, demolitions, and settlement expansions in the West Bank, which are driving increased humanitarian needs.
As the deadline approaches, the potential cessation of aid operations threatens to deepen the crisis in Gaza, where the population is already struggling with the impacts of prolonged conflict and restricted access to essential resources. The international community watches closely as the situation develops, with concerns that the humanitarian implications could be severe if aid groups are forced to cease their activities.
