Currently Online 
Israel ignores ‘basic principles of humanitarian law’ during Gaza attack
Hamas spokesman Basem Naim has accused Israel of carrying out “a deliberate and brutal massacre” against Palestine Red Crescent and Civil Defence teams in southern Gaza’s Rafah city.
“The targeted killing of rescue workers – who are protected under international humanitarian law – constitutes a flagrant violation of the Geneva Conventions and a war crime,” said Naim.
Tom Fletcher, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said since March 18, “Israeli air strikes in densely populated areas have killed hundreds of children and other civilians.
“If the basic principles of humanitarian law still count, the international community must act while it can to uphold them,” Fletcher said in a statement.
Gaza City resident describes severe shortages as Israeli bombs rain down
Elina Saher al-Yazji, a resident of Gaza City, spoke to Al Jazeera during heavy Israeli bombing around her home. Palestinians in the enclave face a “severe shortage of food, water, medicine and … gas, electricity and shelter”, she said. “The humanitarian crisis is worsening day by day,” she said. The border with Egypt has been closed for nearly a month, which means nothing has entered Gaza.
Even if she finds food, she cannot cook because there is no cooking gas, and her family does not have access to firewood.
Red Cross: Families of missing Gaza medics living through ‘nightmare’
The nine Red Crescent medics were among 14 first responders still missing after they went to help victims of an Israeli attack on southern Gaza a week ago. Witnesses have told Al Jazeera that Israeli troops killed and buried the rescue team, and the wreckage of vehicles has been discovered under the sand.
Reacting to the continued disappearance of the crew, the Red Cross said on Saturday it was gravely concerned about their fate.
“It is vital that there is information and access to ensure the safe return of these humanitarians to their families who are in a nightmare without knowing if their loved ones are alive,” it said.
Reporting from central Gaza’s Deir el-Balah, Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum said the families of the paramedics were “waiting for any source of information about their fate”.
Israel says it has started ground operations in Rafah
The Israeli military says that ground operations have begun in al-Janina, a neighbourhood in southern Gaza’s Rafah. The military said that the aim of the operation was to expand a “security zone” in southern Gaza.
