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Early Sunday morning, Israeli forces launched a devastating attack on a residential area in Jabaliya, Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 36 people, including over a dozen children. The victims, largely from the same family, were reportedly asleep when their home was attacked. An eyewitness who lost several family members described the scene as horrific.

Among those killed in the weekend strikes was Palestinian journalist Mohammed Khreis and his wife, who died in an Israeli airstrike on their tent in the Nuseirat refugee camp. At least three other Gazan journalists also lost their lives in the Israeli assault. The strikes come as the people of Gaza endure over 400 days of conflict since Israel launched its latest war, and as northern Gaza remains under a brutal siege with hospitals surrounded by Israeli forces issuing evacuation orders. Despite these orders, doctors and medical staff are refusing to abandon their patients.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) managed to evacuate around 20 patients from Al-Awda Hospital in Jabaliya, transferring them to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Unfortunately, the journey was marred by delays at an Israeli checkpoint, leading to the death of at least one patient.

In a dire warning, the U.N.-backed Famine Review Committee joined other humanitarian groups in highlighting the "strong likelihood that famine is imminent" in parts of northern Gaza. Amidst these humanitarian crises, Qatar announced a suspension of its efforts to mediate a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, citing a lack of willingness and seriousness from both parties to resume negotiations.

Over the same weekend, Israel carried out additional deadly strikes on Lebanon and Syria, while the United States bombed Yemen over two consecutive nights. The international community remains on edge as these conflicts escalate.

From The Hague, Middle East analyst Mouin Rabbani expressed that Qatar's suspension of mediation efforts could have been more timely, indicating that both Qatar and Egypt should have recognized the lack of genuine ceasefire negotiations earlier. Rabbani criticized the process as a façade allowing Israel and the United States to continue their military operations in Gaza while deflecting international criticism.

Amidst the intensification of regional conflicts, attention also turns to Riyadh, where 60 world leaders, including Syrian President Assad and Turkish President Erdoğan, are convening. This meeting could play a critical role as there is a significant risk of an all-out war that might lead to direct confrontations between Israel and Iran, with potential repercussions for Gulf Cooperation Council states.

The involvement of former U.S. President Donald Trump and his close ties to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also raises questions about future U.S. policies in the region. As the potential for large-scale conflict looms, the regional and global political landscape remains fraught with uncertainty and escalating tensions.