Gaza, March 18: The Hamas-run media office warned that the Gaza Strip is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis as Israel’s tightened blockade entered its 16th consecutive day, preventing crucial aid from reaching the population.

In a press statement, the media office said the Israeli blockade “has led to a catastrophic deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip,” with 80 per cent of the population losing access to food sources due to the suspension of aid entry.

The crisis has forced 25 per cent of bakeries to shut down amid a severe fuel shortage, with more closures anticipated in the coming days, Xinhua news agency reported.

The lack of fuel has also disrupted the operation of wells and desalination plants, leaving 90 per cent of Gaza’s residents without sustainable access to clean drinking water.

The health sector is also on the brink of collapse, with severe shortages of supplies worsening the suffering of approximately 150,000 sick and wounded people. Cases of malnutrition and anemia are rising, particularly among children and the elderly, the statement noted.

The media office called on the international community to intervene urgently, demanding increased pressure on Israel to allow the immediate entry of humanitarian aid and to lift restrictions on Gaza.

It also urged Arab and Islamic nations to fulfill their commitments by working to end the blockade, opening crossings for relief supplies, and holding Israel accountable for the legal and humanitarian consequences of its actions.

In a separate statement, Hamas accused Israel of “targeting the lives of the most vulnerable Palestinians — namely, the sick, the elderly, children, and those with special needs” by imposing the blockade.

“The US must compel the occupation to implement the ceasefire agreement as signed, instead of expanding the circle of fire,” it added.

Meanwhile, Ismail al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run media office, said that the Israeli authorities continue to impose a “suffocating blockade” on the Gaza Strip by keeping all border crossings closed for over two weeks.

Al-Thawabta said in a statement that “the occupation has prevented more than 10,000 aid trucks from entering Gaza and has refused to allow the entry of 850 fuel and cooking gas trucks, paralysing the transportation sector, closing bakeries, and disrupting humanitarian work.”

Israel has prevented aid shipments, including food, from entering Gaza since March 2, following the expiration of the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

Beijing, March 17: China on Monday said that it “appreciates” Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent “positive remarks” on China-India relations as both sides earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries in Kazan, last year.

In a conversation with US-based podcaster Lex Fridman, which was released on Sunday, PM Modi laid stress on efforts that are being made to ensure that differences between both countries do not escalate into conflicts and dialogue remaining key to diplomatic approach.

PM Modi emphasised that cooperation between India and China is essential for global stability and prosperity, advocating for healthy competition rather than conflict.

“Dialogue is the key to building a stable and cooperative relationship that benefits both nations”, he said.

Appreciating Prime Minister Modi’s remarks, China’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi had provided strategic guidance for improving and developing China-India relations during their successful meeting in Kazan, last October.

“We appreciate Prime Minister Modi’s recent positive remarks on China-India relations. Last October, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi met successfully in Kazan and provided strategic guidance for improving and developing China-India relations. Recently, the two sides have earnestly implemented the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthened exchanges and practical cooperation at all levels, and achieved a series of positive results,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a regular media briefing in Beijing.

The spokesperson highlighted the historical exchanges between India and China for more than 2,000 years, citing that friendly exchanges and mutual learning have been the mainstream, making important contributions to world civilization and human progress.

“As the two largest developing countries, the current common task of the two sides is to strive to achieve the development and revitalization of their respective countries. They should understand, support and achieve each other. This is in line with the fundamental interests of more than 2.8 billion people in the two countries, in line with the common expectations of regional countries, in line with the historical trend of the Global South’s outstanding growth, and conducive to world peace, stability, development and prosperity,” she added.

Beijing also asserted taht China always believes that the two should be partners that contribute to each other’s success and a cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant is the only right choice for both sides.

“China is willing to work with India to thoroughly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, take this year’s 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India as an opportunity to promote exchanges and cooperation at all levels in all fields, and push forward the development of China-India relations along a healthy and stable track,” stated Mao Ning.

During his conversation with Fridman, PM Modi acknowledged that differences are natural between neighbours and stressed the need to prevent them from escalating into disputes.

Addressing the ongoing border disputes, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the tensions that arose in 2020 but noted that his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi has led to a return to normalcy at the border. He highlighted efforts to restore conditions to pre-2020 levels and expressed optimism that trust, enthusiasm, and energy would gradually return. He also emphasised that cooperation between India and China is essential for global stability and prosperity, advocating for healthy competition rather than conflict.

Sanaa, March 17: Yemen’s Houthis on Monday launched a second attack targeting a US aircraft carrier in the northern Red Sea after the US military conducted fresh airstrikes on Houthi targets.

“In response to the continued American aggression against our country … our armed forces targeted for the second time in less than 24 hours, the US aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman in the northern Red Sea with ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in the statement on Monday.

“Our armed forces also succeeded in thwarting a hostile attack the enemy was preparing to launch against our country by launching several rocket and drone attacks that forced the enemy warplanes to return,” he said.

Sarea also vowed to expand attacks to include all US naval and commercial vessels in the region if US airstrikes continued.

Meanwhile, the US Central Command said in a post on X that its operations against the Houthi group continued, referring to fresh airstrikes against Houthi targets, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

Houthi TV al-Masirah reported that US airstrikes on Monday targeted a cotton ginning factory in Zabid District, south of the western province of Hodeidah, and the governorate building in the northeastern province of Al-Jawf. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The Houthi-run health ministry in Sanaa said that the death toll from US airstrikes has increased to 53, including five children and two women, with 98 others wounded. Rescue operations are underway to search for others trapped under the rubble.

The US airstrikes began Saturday evening as President Donald Trump vowed to continue air attacks until the Houthis stopped attacking international shipping lines and ships.

The US has escalated its strikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, with President Donald Trump vowing on Saturday to use ‘overwhelming lethal force’ against the rebels who have attacked international ships in the Red Sea in ‘solidarity’ with Gaza.

Multiple US strikes in Yemen’s capital Sanaa and other areas have resulted in numerous casualties with the militants also vowing escalation as they face one of the most extensive attacks since the war in Gaza began in October 2023.