"Escalating Gaza Crisis: UN Urges Immediate Ceasefire as Death Toll Soars"

The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 11,000 as Israel's military continues its offensive against Hamas militants. Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing northern Gaza as the conflict intensifies, with reports of strikes on hospitals and a dire humanitarian situation. The World Health Organization states that 20 of Gaza's 36 hospitals are no longer functioning, and over two-thirds of the population have been displaced. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledges the high number of Palestinian casualties and calls for more efforts to save lives and provide aid. Israel has agreed to daily humanitarian pauses in the north of Gaza to allow civilians to flee, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterates his objective of "eradicating Hamas." The UN warns of a devastating economic collapse in Gaza, with the GDP shrinking by 4% in the first month of the war and over 400,000 people pushed into poverty. Netanyahu emphasizes the need for Gaza to be demilitarized, deradicalized, and rebuilt.