In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants, Gaza witnessed intensified airstrikes and ground combat on Friday, marking nearly 12 weeks of devastating warfare. The war has left much of the besieged Palestinian territory in ruins, displacing hundreds of thousands and prompting a dire humanitarian crisis.

As a Hamas delegation engaged in talks in Cairo regarding an Egyptian plan to halt the fighting, UN Chief Antonio Guterres reiterated his call for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire." The conflict, triggered by the October 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian militants, has become the bloodiest in Gaza's history.

Tensions between Israel and Iran-backed armed groups have also surfaced in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Guterres warned of potential spillover effects, expressing concerns about the "devastating consequences for the entire region."

In Gaza, vast areas of the northern region lie in ruins, with Israeli airstrikes and ground operations concentrating on central and southern districts. This has led to a continuous influx of displaced families seeking refuge in crowded areas near the Egyptian border, particularly around southern Rafah.

The UN reports that over 85 percent of Gaza's 2.4 million population has fled their homes, facing hunger and harsh winter conditions in makeshift tents. Intense fighting around central Deir al-Balah and the largest southern city, Khan Yunis, has pushed around 100,000 newly displaced people into the already overcrowded Rafah. Despite the focus on this area, it too has not been spared from bombings, leaving residents to sift through rubble in search of survivors and victims after deadly airstrikes.

One local resident, Tayseer Abu al-Eish, recounted a recent incident, stating, "We heard a loud explosion, and debris started falling on us." The situation remains critical, with calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid persisting as the conflict continues to take a toll on the civilian population.