In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of dozens of individuals, including two children aged twelve and two. The Israeli army has stated that their armed forces are engaged in combat with Hamas militants who remain in northern and central Gaza.

According to Gaza's Health Ministry, which is operated by the Hamas militant group, a total of 113 bodies were brought to hospitals within a span of 24 hours, bringing the overall death toll to 27,478 people. The town of Deir al-Balah has been struck heavily by Israeli forces, leading to a grim day of devastation on Sunday.

Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israel has continued its aerial bombardment of Gaza. The United States has been making diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Saudi Arabia as part of his fifth visit to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war began in October. Blinken is scheduled to hold talks with regional leaders in Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and the West Bank throughout the week.

During his first visit to Israel, France's foreign minister, Stéphane Séjourné, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Séjourné called for an "immediate ceasefire" and urged for humanitarian aid to be urgently provided to the besieged Gaza region. France had previously voted in favor of a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza at the UN General Assembly in December. However, the European Union has been unable to reach a unanimous agreement on calling for a cessation of hostilities.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, in a news conference after a meeting with Séjourné, warned of the potential for a wider conflict in the region if a ceasefire is not achieved in Gaza. Shoukry expressed concerns over the war in Gaza, threats to navigation in the Red Sea, military operations in Syria and Iraq, and the situation on the Israeli-Lebanese borders.

The European Union has expressed deep concern over reports that the Israeli military intends to expand their operations to the town of Rafah, located at Gaza's border with Egypt. This move could displace over a million people who have sought refuge there, potentially jeopardizing Israel's peace agreement with Egypt and raising the ire of the United States.

As the conflict continues to escalate, international diplomatic efforts are intensifying to bring about a much-needed ceasefire and provide essential humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. The world anxiously awaits a resolution to the devastating violence and its repercussions for the region.