The United Nations’ main food agency has been forced to halt its operations from the US-built floating pier off Gaza after Israel’s deadly massacre in Nuseirat resulted in hundreds killed and injured, overwhelming hospitals. The World Food Programme expressed concern for the safety of its staff and reported that facilities were damaged during the attacks over the weekend. Aid access to the war-torn enclave has decreased since May when Israeli forces took control of a main border crossing at Rafah, despite the desperate need for assistance among the population facing hunger and disease.
Amid ongoing bombings in Gaza, Israeli shelling has been reported in various neighborhoods, resulting in civilian casualties. Ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel are at a standstill, prompting US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to travel to Cairo for meetings with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi before heading to Jerusalem to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing internal challenges after the resignation of senior minister Benny Gantz.