Israel’s military operations continue in Gaza, encircling Rafah while the humanitarian situation for Palestinians in the West Bank worsens, as reported by Doctors Without Borders. In U.S. education, Columbia University is adapting policies to comply with federal demands. The conflict has escalated with airstrikes, including one on Nasser Hospital, resulting in civilian deaths amidst calls for a renewed truce.

On Sunday, Israel’s military intensified ground operations in the Gaza Strip, particularly encircling parts of Rafah city near the Egyptian border. This escalation occurs approximately one week after a renewed offensive aimed at Palestinian territories was launched. Current details about the situation can be found in the ongoing liveblog updates.

In a concerning report, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) described the circumstances for Palestinians displaced by Israel’s military activities in the occupied West Bank as “extremely precarious.” The United Nations noted that approximately 40,000 individuals have been displaced since the Israeli army’s recent operation began on January 21, focusing on Palestinian armed groups situated in the northern regions of the territory.

Healthcare access is severely compromised, leaving many without adequate shelter or essential services. MSF highlighted alarming conditions in mental health among these displaced populations, indicating a critical humanitarian crisis that requires urgent attention.

In international news, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon affirmed that Columbia University is making progress toward regaining federal funding after agreeing to implement policy alterations requested by the Trump administration. During a recent CNN interview, she mentioned fruitful discussions with the university’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, who acknowledged her responsibility to ensure student safety and address systemic discrimination issues, notably related to antisemitism.

Armstrong has announced significant operational changes in Columbia’s Middle East studies department, alongside new protest rules and enhanced student disciplinary procedures. Furthermore, the university will adopt a revised definition of antisemitism and strengthen the “intellectual diversity” of its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies, as documented in their official outline.

The Israeli military has continued its operations in Gaza despite calls for a renewed truce with Hamas. The situation has escalated, compounded by military activities in Lebanon and missile attacks originating from Yemen. According to Gaza’s health ministry, the ongoing conflict has resulted in over 50,021 fatalities since Hamas’s surprise assault on Israel on October 7, 2023.

In a severe act on Sunday night, Israel’s military conducted an airstrike on Nasser Hospital, the largest medical facility in southern Gaza, resulting in five deaths and numerous injuries. This strike targeted the hospital’s surgical wing, intensifying the ongoing crisis with facilities already strained due to previous assaults. Israel attributed the airstrike to the presence of Hamas militants operating from the hospital, claiming that civilian casualties are a consequence of Hamas’s use of civilian infrastructure.

Yesterday’s significant developments included the Israeli government’s approval of a no-confidence motion against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, reflecting its ongoing conflicts with officials perceived as oppositional. The military urged residents of Rafah to evacuate as operations against regional militancy commenced, amidst a backdrop of escalating violence, marked by tragic civilian casualties including the five individuals lost during the hospital drone strike.

The recent developments in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian groups reveal an intensifying military campaign in Gaza, with alarming humanitarian implications, especially for displaced families in the West Bank. The situation further complicates as policy changes take place within U.S. educational institutions following federal scrutiny. International responses continue to focus on safeguarding civilians, yet hostilities persist, resulting in significant casualties and infrastructural damage, particularly in medical facilities.

Original Source: www.france24.com

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