Despite the passing of a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire, the Israeli army continues its operations in Gaza. It said it struck dozens of targets in central Gaza on Saturday March 30, as well as in and around the largest al-Chifa hospital complex. The army, which accuses Hamas fighters of hiding in hospitals, announced the death of several Palestinian fighters, including a Hamas leader, during a raid on one of its buildings.
According to Hamas, Israeli troops are also present in the areas of the Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals in Khan Younes (south). Information which, in both cases, could not be independently verified. This live is now over.
Thousands of patients to be urgently evacuated, according to the WHO. Some 9,000 patients must be urgently evacuated from the Gaza Strip for treatment, the head of the World Health Organization demanded on Saturday. “With only 10 hospitals operating at minimum capacity across Gaza, thousands of patients continue to be deprived of healthcare,” warned Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on. They need “vital health services, including treating cancer, bombing injuries, kidney dialysis and other chronic illnesses“, he stressed.
A second humanitarian ship is heading towards the Gaza Strip. Chartered by the NGOs World Central Kitchen and Open Arms, the Jennifer left the port of Larnaca, on the island of Cyprus, on Saturday March 30, accompanied by two tugboats, to deliver 400 tons of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory on the verge of famine. According to the Cypriot News Agency, it will take two and a half days to reach the Gaza Strip. World Central Kitchen said the shipment contained rice, pasta, flour, vegetables and proteins.
Five dead during aid distribution. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported five dead and 30 injured, before dawn on Saturday, in Gaza City, after a stampede and shooting, the source of which it did not specify. According to the organization, thousands of people were waiting for the arrival of around fifteen trucks of flour and other food at the Kuwait roundabout, the scene of previous incidents in recent weeks.
Four UN observers injured in southern Lebanon. While the Israeli-Lebanese border is the scene of daily exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah, “four UNUST military observers who were carrying out a foot patrol along the Blue Line” marking the border with Israel “were injured when a shell exploded nearby”, announced this United Nations body responsible for monitoring the truce. Judging “unacceptable to target peacekeeping forces”the UNUST called on all parties to “stop the heavy exchanges of fire”.