Urgent Need for Fuel in Gaza; France Sends Helicopter Carrier to Eastern Mediterranean

The UN agency that assists Palestinian civilians in Gaza has warned that it may completely halt its operations if fuel does not reach the area amid a severe need for shelter, water, food, and medical services. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East stated on the twentieth day of the conflict between Hamas and Israel that it has an 'urgent need' for fuel to continue its humanitarian operations in the Hamas-controlled area. The United States, the European Union, and Japan have designated the Hamas militant group, which is supported by the Islamic Republic, as a terrorist organization. The agency emphasized that the next 24 hours will be 'crucial.' The UN agency reported that three more of its staff members were killed in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of its employees killed to 38. More than 613,000 people displaced by the conflict between Israel and Hamas have taken refuge in 150 UN Palestinian refugee agency centers. Many citizens of Gaza have sought refuge in hospitals, schools, homes, refugee camps, and also in the streets after Israel warned them to leave their homes in the north. Israel has prevented the entry of fuel and aid shipments, stating that they may fall into the hands of Hamas. However, France has sent a helicopter carrier to the eastern Mediterranean to assist Gaza's hospitals, which are struggling with shortages of fuel and medical supplies. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that he is sending this ship to help the people of Gaza access medicine and medical care. It is still unclear whether this action means only delivering medical supplies to Gaza or if it will also assist in treating injured and sick Palestinians. According to Reuters, the 'Tondar' ship can serve as a floating hospital with dozens of beds, an X-ray unit, and two surgical units. The deployment of the 'Tondar' occurs as EU leaders are also working to establish humanitarian corridors in and out of Gaza and to halt bombings to allow access to aid. In another development, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that a Hamas delegation has traveled to Moscow. She also mentioned that Ali Bagheri Kani, the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has traveled to Moscow to meet with his Russian counterpart. Bagheri Kani is the chief nuclear negotiator for the Islamic Republic. Moscow has repeatedly attributed the current crisis between Israel and Hamas to the failure of American diplomacy and has called for a ceasefire and the resumption of negotiations aimed at achieving peace. Biden expressed concern about the situation of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. The United States has asked its allies in the Middle East to help cut off Hamas's funding networks. Ground attacks on Hamas positions in Gaza; Israel: More attacks are on the way. Live blog: G7 foreign ministers welcome the cessation of hostilities; all hostages should be released unconditionally. Israel: Hostages must be released unconditionally.