Israel's War on Gaza: Day 170 Key Events & Escalating Tensions

Israel's war on Gaza: List of key events, day 170 Southern Gaza continues to bear the brunt of Israeli airstrikes as efforts to mediate an end to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian enclave face obstacles on day 170 of the war. Israeli warplanes pounded Khan Younis, with reports of explosions and gunfire near the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza City. Overnight strikes in Rafah and Deir el-Balah resulted in the deaths of at least 14 Palestinians. Despite mediation efforts, a Hamas official revealed that Israeli negotiators have rejected the latest proposal for a ceasefire. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, during a visit to the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, reiterated the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. Guterres highlighted the dire humanitarian situation within the besieged enclave, condemning the restrictions on truck entries by Israel, which has led to a backlog of essential supplies at the Rafah crossing. In a concerning development, a Chinese-owned oil tanker was attacked off Yemen by Houthi rebels, who are demanding an end to Israel's war on Gaza. The US military reported engaging six Houthi drones over the southern Red Sea in response to the intensified strikes on Red Sea shipping. Diplomatic efforts have seen the United States proposing a deal to exchange jailed Palestinians for captives held by Hamas in Gaza. Indirect negotiations between an Israeli delegation and Hamas in Doha have been ongoing, with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant set to discuss developments in Washington, DC. Meanwhile, tensions have escalated regionally, with three people wounded in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon's Baalbek, including a strike on a two-storey building. The conflict has resulted in hundreds of casualties and displacement on both sides since October 7. Back in Israel, protests demanding the release of captives held by Hamas and calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Netanyahu have taken place. Across Europe, pro-Palestinian solidarity demonstrations have continued, with calls for a ceasefire echoing in cities like Vienna, Milan, Berlin, and Dublin. As the conflict persists, the international community remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for a lasting peace to end the cycle of violence and suffering endured by civilians on both sides.