GAZA STRIP, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES - United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to the Middle East for another crisis tour on Feb 5 in a bid to secure a new truce in the Israel-Hamas war, as southern Gaza saw no let-up in fighting.
Mr Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia on Feb 5, the first stop of his fifth Middle East tour since the Oct 7 attack by Hamas that prompted massive Israeli retaliation.
Mr Blinken is also set to visit Israel, Egypt and Qatar later this week.
Ahead of the trip, he stressed the need for "urgently addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza", after aid groups have repeatedly sounded the alarm over the devastating impact on the besieged territory of nearly four months of war.
"The situation is indescribable," said Mr Said Hamouda, a Palestinian who fled his home in the Gaza Strip to the southern city of Rafah on the border with Egypt.
Dubbed a "pressure cooker of despair" by the United Nations, Rafah now hosts more than half of Gaza's 2.4 million people, displaced due to Israel's assault.
Over the weekend, Israel pressed farther south towards the densely crowded border city, warning its ground forces could advance on Rafah as part of its campaign to eradicate Hamas.
On the morning of Feb 5, sources told AFP they could hear artillery shelling in the areas of eastern Rafah and Khan Younis, where Israel believes high-ranking Hamas officials are hiding.
At least 128 people, mostly women and children, were killed in Israeli strikes overnight from Feb 4 to Feb 5, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.
The Hamas government media office said Israeli bombardments have continued across the centre and southern end of coastal territory, including near hospitals.
Esta historia es de la edición February 06, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición February 06, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
'Football died' when Klopp joined Red Bull
BERLIN - Jurgen Klopp's decision to join Red Bull as their Global Head of Soccer has sparked strong reactions from many German fans.
ALCARAZ IN 'CRAZY' LOSS TO MACHAC
Spaniard can’t believe opponent’s level after defeat scuppers rematch with Italian Sinner
New arrivals at FIA after high-profile departures
LONDON Formula One's governing body announced two senior appointments after headline departures triggered talk of an exodus from the International Automobile Federation (FIA) led by Emirati Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
OLYMPIC RINGS OF FIRE OVER EIFFEL TOWER
French minister plans to wrest control of landmark from Paris mayor amid logo row
EVEREST CLIMBS TO GROUP 1 HEIGHTS
World’s richest sprint race gains recognition at its eighth running, as well as All-Star Mile
Heat stress Different work conditions require flexible guidelines on workers' attire
We thank Mr Rahul Gupta for his suggestions (Study standard heat-friendly work clothes for outdoor workers, Oct 8).
Airbus deliveries drop as suppliers struggle
PARIS Airbus deliveries fell 9 per cent in September to 50 jets compared with the same month in 2023, the European planemaker said on Oct 9, rekindling a debate over the strength of its industrial goals as suppliers struggle to keep up with demand.
Mental health ambassadors at all PAP branches by 2025
By 2025, all 93 People's Action Party (PAP) branches will have mental health ambassadors to promote mental well-being in every neighbourhood and support the work of MPs in addressing residents' mental health concerns.
Zelensky says there is 'real chance' to end war in 2025
He did not reveal how this could happen but is counting on support from key allies
Prabowo defends plan to expand government with ‘fat' Cabinet
JAKARTA Indonesia's Presidentelect Prabowo Subianto has defended his plan to expand government agencies, saying it is needed for a strong administration even if critics call it a \"fat\" Cabinet that will bloat the bureaucracy.