Monday, March 31

Eight medics have been killed by Israel strikes in Gaza after they purposely targeted ambulances, sparking from humanitarian organizations and the Red Cross.

The attack took place in Rafah, a prominent border city in Gaza that has been the center for incoming aid. Officials have confirmed that the medics were actually killed over a week ago, but the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) was not allowed into the area to retrieve their bodies until yesterday.

Reports from the area state that there was a convoy of vehicles which began moving towards Israeli troops, leading the troops to believe that they were "suspicious vehicles." After firing into the convoy and eliminating the vehicles, they later realized that some of them were ambulances and fire trucks carrying medics. Eight medics were killed, and one is still missing.

However, Israel confirmed that the attack did manage to kill several Hamas-affiliated terrorists, and they claim that terrorists have previously used ambulances for nefarious purposes throughout the war.

Nevertheless, international law guarantees the protection of rescue workers and medics, and their deaths have outraged the IFRC and other aid organizations. The IFRC called on both sides to "stop the killing," Hamas officials have also called out the attack, labeling it as a "flagrant violation of the Geneva Conventions" and a "war crime," and the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) also released a message with a similar view.

Unfortunately, an end to the war in the near future seems unlikely. After ceasefire negotiations failed earlier this month, Israel has continued their full-scale attacks on Gaza. Since March 18, they have already killed 921 people, bringing the total death toll of the war past 50,000. In addition, the IFRC has confirmed that a total of 30 aid volunteers and workers have been killed since the beginning of the war, reinforcing their claims of a violation of international law.

Upcoming Events:

• World Autism Awareness Day (Tuesday, April 1)

• April Fools' Day (Tuesday, April 1)

• International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (Friday, April 4)

• International Day of Conscience (Saturday, April 5)

• Grand National Horse Race (Saturday, April 5)

• International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (Sunday, April 6)

• Rama Navami (Sunday, April 6)

Fact of the Day (Reader's Digest): There’s a river in the Peruvian Amazon where water temperatures can actually cook unlucky animals that fall into the water. The river naturally boils as a geothermal feature, reaching temperatures of over 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Life is a balance between holding on and letting go. (Rumi)

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Untoward (adj, un-TOH-erd) - Untoward is a formal word that describes something that is improper or inappropriate, or that is adverse or unfavorable.

In a Sentence: The medication is safe and effective, with no known untoward side effects.