DER AL AL BARA, Gaza (AP) — Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip persisted on Wednesday, even amidst rising international condemnation over the escalation of attacks. The assaults resulted in a minimum of 82 fatalities, as reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health and local hospitals.
On Tuesday, Israel began allowing a convoy of humanitarian trucks into Gaza; however, the aid has yet to be delivered effectively to the overwhelmed Palestinian population.
Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Humanitarian Agency, indicated that a truck intended for southern Gaza remains uncollected at the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom border crossing.
The humanitarian trucks from the Gaza Strip are heading to the Kelem Shalom intersection on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, to prevent activists from thwarting roads in southern Israel.
UN spokesperson Stephen Dujaric visited Gaza on Tuesday to deliver aid; however, aid workers were unable to deliver it to distribution points. Israeli forces redistributed supplies into separate trucks, rendering the workers unable to meet deadlines.
Israeli defense agencies managing humanitarian assistance to Gaza confirmed that a truck entered Gaza on Wednesday morning, but it remains uncertain whether the aid will be further disseminated within the region. UNRWA, the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, stated that their staff had waited for hours to collect aid from the border crossing but were unable to do so on Tuesday.
Israeli activists expressed discontent regarding Israel’s decision to assist Gaza, as police faced off against Hamas militants while hostages attempted to block trucks carrying supplies on the morning of Wednesday.
Activists stand on the boundary of concrete blocks ahead of them as they waved Israeli flags towards a humanitarian truck in the Gaza Strip in southern Israel on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
Diplomat Fired Upon in Jenin
Palestinian authorities reported that a group of diplomats was fired upon while visiting Jenin, a city under Israeli occupation in the West Bank. The diplomats were on an official mission to assess the humanitarian situation in Jenin when the shots were fired.
Aid workers, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons, reported hearing gunfire as a delegation comprising diplomats from about 20 different nations stood near the entrance to the Jenin refugee camp. Fortunately, no individuals were harmed.
According to Israeli forces, the delegation had strayed from the approved path, prompting soldiers to fire warning shots to disperse the area. The military has since expressed regret and indicated it will reach out to the involved countries.
Footage captured the scene as multiple diplomats rushed for cover amidst the rapid gunfire. Kaja Karas, head of foreign policy for the European Union, condemned the act, labeling it unacceptable, and urged Israel to conduct an investigation.
The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has also demanded an explanation, stating that its personnel were among those fired upon.
In recent months, Jenin has witnessed heightened Israeli military operations targeting local extremists, leading to widespread unrest.
On January 21st, just two days later, ceasefire discussions with Hamas in Gaza and Israeli forces have conducted operations in Jenin numerous times since the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Thousands of Palestinians have been forced to evacuate, marking one of the largest movements along the Jordan River in many years.
International Pressure on Israel
On Tuesday, UK free trade talks were temporarily suspended, a decision following concrete commitments from the UK, Canada, and France to hold Israel accountable for its aggressive actions. Furthermore, the European Union is contemplating adjustments to its agreements governing trade with Israel in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as noted by the foreign policy director.
Israel maintains that it will cease hostilities once Hamas returns home, is disarmed, and all hostages are safely back. Conversely, Hamas has expressed readiness to free hostages in exchange for a total Israeli withdrawal from the region, while rejecting demands for both disarmament and exile.
On Tuesday, Israel indicated it would dispatch a lower-ranking official to ceasefire talks in Doha, Qatar, replacing a senior negotiation team. Qatari leaders facilitating discussions have acknowledged a substantial rift between both parties.
As this unfolds, Israeli airstrikes continued throughout Gaza. In Khan Yunis, a southern city where authorities recently ordered additional evacuations preceding intensified military operations, 24 fatalities have been reported, with 14 from the same family. Tragically, a baby succumbed to injuries sustained in central Gaza just a week ago.
The Palestinians will carry the bodies of their relatives, including children killed in Israeli airstrikes in Deira al-Barah, Gaza on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
Israeli forces have not provided an immediate comment on the recent airstrikes, although they claim the strikes target Hamas-related structures and allege that militants are operating from civilian areas.
The Desperate Need for Food
Experts warn that many of Gaza’s 2 million residents are facing a serious risk of hunger. In one makeshift camp, a charity distributed watery lentil soup.
Somaiabuamsha dished out the meager portions for her family.
“All we desire is for the war to end. We don’t need a charity kitchen. Even dogs wouldn’t eat this, let alone the children,” she expressed.
Pope Leo XIV appealed on Wednesday, requesting assistance to access the Gaza Strip and lamenting the “heartbreaking” plight of the victims during his general audience at St. Peter’s Square.
Surrounded Hospital
Israeli military officials confirmed that two hospitals in northern Gaza are surrounded, preventing anyone from entering or exiting the facilities, according to hospital staff and aid organizations.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday urged global leaders to act swiftly to bring an end to Israel’s siege on Gaza, declaring plans to address Palestinian disarmament during his visit to evacuation camps in Lebanon.
“It’s time to cease this extermination campaign against the Palestinians. We will persist. We will remain here in Palestine,” Abbas proclaimed.
The conflict in Gaza ignited following an attack by Hamas-led militants on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly among civilians, and taking 251 individuals hostage. Currently, militants are believed to still hold 58 captives, with about a third of them thought to be alive after most were returned through ceasefire agreements or other means.
In retaliation, Israeli airstrikes have led to the destruction of extensive areas in Gaza, resulting in over 53,000 Palestinian deaths, primarily affecting women and children.
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Magdy reported from Cairo and Ridman from Tel Aviv, with contributions from Sally Abou Aljoud of the Associated Press in Beirut and Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv to this report.
Source: apnews.com