Gaza Conflict Escalates: Over 24,000 Palestinians Killed, 110 Journalists Dead, Hostages Still Held

Netanyahu Accused of Prolonging War for Political Survival; First Israel-Hamas Agreement Since November Sees Medicine En Route to Gaza

Over 24,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with the UN estimating that 70% of those killed are women and children. Nearly 60,000 Palestinians have been injured or maimed, 1.9 million have been displaced and more than 65,000 buildings destroyed.
Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is accused of prolonging the war for his own political survival. Critics argue that once the war ends, Netanyahu will face court over corruption charges and an investigation into security failures on Oct. 7 when Hamas succeeded in infiltrating southern Israel.
Israel's campaign in Gaza has resulted in the death of over 110 journalists since October 7th, more than have ever been killed in a single country over an entire year since 1992, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Hamas is still holding around half of the estimated 250 hostages they captured during the Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war. Most of the rest were freed in November in return for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
Medicine for hostages was en route to Gaza on Wednesday after Qatar and France mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas — the first agreement between the two since a weeklong cease-fire broke down in November.