"22 people, mostly children, tragically lose their lives in Israeli airstrikes targeting the southern Gaza city of Rafah, coinciding with the US's advancement of an aid package."

"In Rafah, Gaza Strip, Israeli airstrikes overnight claimed the lives of 22 individuals, among them 18 children, according to health authorities on Sunday. Meanwhile, the United States moved forward with plans to authorize billions of dollars in extra military assistance to Israel, its longstanding ally."

Israel has been conducting frequent air strikes on Rafah, where over half of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have taken shelter from conflicts in other areas. Despite global appeals for moderation, including from the U.S., Israel has declared its intention to escalate its ground operation against the Hamas militant group in the city near the Egyptian border.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a press release that in the forthcoming days, our efforts to exert political and military pressure on Hamas will intensify. This strategic approach is crucial in order to secure the safe return of our hostages and attain a triumphant outcome. The Prime Minister did not disclose specific information regarding the forthcoming actions.

The initial Israeli attack in Rafah resulted in the deaths of a man, his wife, and their 3-year-old child, as reported by the nearby Kuwaiti Hospital where the bodies were taken. The woman, who was pregnant, was able to have her baby saved by the doctors at the hospital. The subsequent strike claimed the lives of 17 children and two women from the same extended family.

One of the relatives, Umm Kareem, questioned, "Why were these innocent children sleeping? What wrong had they done?" Umm Mohammad, another relative, sorrowfully recounted how the eldest victim, an 80-year-old aunt, was brutally torn apart. The young children were sadly placed inside body bags, their lives cut short.

Mohammed al-Beheiri reported that his daughter, Rasha, along with her six children, the youngest being 18 months old, were among the deceased. Additionally, a woman and three children remained trapped under the debris.

According to local health officials, the conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in the deaths of more than 34,000 Palestinians, with a significant majority being children and women. The war has caused immense devastation in Gaza's two major cities and has left a wide area in ruins. As a result, approximately 80% of the population in the territory have been forced to seek refuge in other areas of the besieged coastal enclave.

The House of Representatives has recently approved a substantial aid package worth $26 billion. This comprehensive package encompasses approximately $9 billion in humanitarian assistance specifically allocated for Gaza. Experts have expressed grave concerns about the dire situation in Gaza, warning that it is teetering on the edge of a devastating famine. The Senate is expected to pass this crucial aid package by Tuesday, and President Joe Biden has made a firm commitment to promptly sign it into law.

The ongoing conflict, currently in its seventh month, has incited regional turmoil by setting Israel and the U.S. against Iran and its affiliated militant factions throughout the Middle East. Israel and Iran engaged in direct military exchanges this month, heightening concerns of a full-scale war between the historical adversaries.

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, tensions have escalated as Israeli troops fatally shot two Palestinians on Sunday. According to the military, the Palestinians had allegedly attacked a checkpoint near the town of Hebron with a knife and a gun. The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that the deceased individuals, aged 18 and 19, were from the same family. Fortunately, no Israeli forces sustained any injuries during the incident.

The Palestinian Red Crescent rescue service reported that they retrieved 14 bodies following an Israeli raid in the Nur Shams urban refugee camp in the West Bank, which commenced late Thursday. Among the deceased are three militants affiliated with the Islamic Jihad group and a 15-year-old boy. The military confirmed that 14 militants were killed in the camp and eight suspects were arrested. Additionally, ten Israeli soldiers and one border police officer sustained injuries during the operation.

 In another occurrence in the West Bank, an Israeli individual sustained injuries in an explosion on Sunday, as reported by the Magen David Adom rescue service. A video that is being shared online depicts a man walking towards a Palestinian flag positioned in a field. Upon kicking it, an explosive device seems to have been activated.

 The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that a minimum of 469 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank since the commencement of the conflict in Gaza. The majority of these fatalities occurred during Israeli military operations, leading to gunfights, or in instances of violent demonstrations.

The conflict in Gaza was initiated by an extraordinary raid on Oct. 7 into southern Israel, during which Hamas and other militants caused the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians, and took around 250 people as hostages. Israel has reported that militants are currently detaining about 100 hostages and the bodies of over 30 others.

Numerous Israeli citizens have gathered in the streets demanding fresh elections to replace Netanyahu and a negotiation with Hamas for the release of the hostages. Netanyahu has pledged to persist with the conflict until Hamas is eradicated and all hostages are safely returned.

 The conflict in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of a minimum of 34,097 Palestinians and injuries to an additional 76,980, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry's tally does not distinguish between military personnel and civilians. It is believed that the actual number of casualties is higher due to numerous bodies being trapped under debris or in inaccessible locations.

Israel holds Hamas responsible for civilian casualties due to the fact that the militants engage in combat within densely populated residential areas. The military refrains from addressing specific strikes that frequently result in the deaths of innocent women and children. The military claims to have eliminated more than 13,000 Hamas fighters, although no evidence has been presented to support this assertion.