HEADLINES
- **Gaza's Nasser Hospital Reopens Amid Conflict with MSF Support**
- **Biden Pushes for Ceasefire and Two-State Solution in Commencement Address**
- **IDF Officer Major Gal Shabbat Dies in Northern Gaza, Raising Death Toll to 631**

The time is now 12:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, a significant development has taken place in Gaza. The Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, which had been closed due to the fighting, has reopened. This hospital, a crucial medical facility in southern Gaza, had been attacked in February when Khan Yunis was a focal point of the conflict. Israeli forces had raided the hospital, claiming that Hamas was holding Israeli hostages there. Now, the hospital is slowly resuming its operations with the help of Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

Alaa Abu Ahmed, a patient receiving treatment for a chronic condition, expressed relief at the reopening of the hospital. Her treatment had been interrupted due to the displacement caused by the conflict. MSF has focused its efforts on the hospital’s orthopedic surgery and burns unit, while preparing to reopen the maternity and neonatal intensive care units. Aurelie Godard, overseeing MSF activities in Gaza, emphasized the challenges of repeatedly evacuating and reopening hospitals, noting the difficulties in ensuring patients know where to find medical services.

The situation in Gaza remains dire. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only 13 out of 36 hospitals in the territory are partially functional. Al-Shifa hospital, the largest in Gaza City, has been reduced to an "empty shell" by the ongoing fighting. The lack of medical supplies and the scarcity of water have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. WHO reported that no medical equipment has been received in Gaza since early May, and there are fears of a total depletion of fuel needed to run generators.

Meanwhile, in the United States, President Joe Biden addressed the escalating conflict during a commencement speech at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Acknowledging the widespread protests against the war on US campuses, Biden assured students that he is working tirelessly for an immediate ceasefire and a lasting peace in the region. He called for a two-state solution as the only viable resolution for both Israelis and Palestinians. Biden’s remarks come as his National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan engages in diplomatic discussions in Israel and Saudi Arabia, seeking a normalization deal between the two countries and a pathway to peace.

Biden’s speech highlighted the complexity and heartbreak of the situation, condemning the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, while also recognizing the plight of innocent Palestinians caught in the crossfire. He detailed his efforts to secure a ceasefire that would facilitate the release of hostages and allow for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

In Israel, the conflict claimed another life. Major Gal Shabbat, a 24-year-old company commander in the 202nd Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade, succumbed to injuries sustained during a confrontation with terrorists in northern Gaza. This brings the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) death toll in the war to 631.

In parallel diplomatic developments, there are reports of significant progress towards a landmark security agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia. This potential deal, which has been under discussion during meetings between National Security Advisor Sullivan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to strengthen US-Saudi ties and pave the way for Israel’s normalization with Saudi Arabia. The agreement is contingent on a clear pathway to a Palestinian state, highlighting the broader ramifications of the ongoing conflict and the international community’s efforts to find a lasting solution.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/05/major-gaza-hospital-reopens-amid-chaos-war
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/05/biden-reaches-out-gaza-protesters-speech-rights-icons-college
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/Article-1100212
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/Article-1100211
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/Article-1100206
https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-801750
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s13koqvm0
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/Article-1100202
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/byi8hfvx0