Israel continued its aggressive bombardment of the main southern city in Gaza on Monday, as tensions escalated following warnings from Palestinian resistance group Hamas. Hamas had threatened that no Israeli captives would leave Gaza alive unless its demands for prisoner releases were met. The relentless Israeli offensive has resulted in widespread destruction in Gaza, reducing many areas to rubble and claiming the lives of at least 18,000 people, with a majority being women and children.
The Palestinian health ministry reported dozens of casualties in Gaza due to Israeli airstrikes, while Israel’s army confirmed rocket fire from Gaza into Israel. Israeli strikes targeted the main southern city of Khan Yunis on Monday, and the Islamic Jihad group claimed to have blown up a house where Israeli soldiers were searching for a tunnel shaft.
Hamas had issued a warning on Sunday, asserting that Israel would not see the return of its captives without meeting the resistance’s demands for an exchange and negotiations. Israel claims that 137 captives remain in Gaza, while activists suggest around 7,000 Palestinians are held in Israeli jails.
Months of intense bombardment and clashes have pushed Gaza’s health system to the brink of collapse. Most hospitals are no longer functional, and nearly two million people have been displaced. The Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, a primary medical facility, has been heavily damaged, forcing around 30,000 people to take refuge amid the rubble.
The UN estimates that 1.9 million out of Gaza’s 2.4 million population have been displaced, with approximately half of them being children. The conflict has prompted humanitarian organizations to urge Israel to prioritize the protection of civilians.
Israel’s use of mapping software to reduce non-combatant deaths was criticized as inadequate by Lynn Hastings, the UN humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories. She emphasized that declaring certain areas as ‘safe zones’ unilaterally does not ensure safety, especially when infrastructure, food, water, healthcare, and hygiene are lacking.
Gaza’s health system is in a dire state, with only 14 out of 36 hospitals functioning at any capacity, according to the UN’s humanitarian agency OCHA. The World Health Organization called for immediate, unimpeded aid deliveries to address the collapsing health system.
Israel’s army chief, Herzi Halevi, declared the use of “significant force” in Gaza, citing “significant achievements” in the ongoing war. The army reported that 101 soldiers have died in the ground offensive, with around 600 wounded. Israeli airstrikes targeted over 250 locations, including communication sites, tunnel shafts, and a military command center.
The UN General Assembly is set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the Gaza situation after the United States vetoed a Security Council resolution for a ceasefire. The draft of the text closely follows the language of the failed resolution, expressing grave concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Efforts for a new truce, similar to the one mediated by Qatar last month, are being pursued. However, Israel’s continuous bombardment poses challenges to the success of these efforts. The regional situation is also fraught with tensions, with cross-border exchanges between Israel and Lebanese fighters and attacks against US and allied forces in Iraq and Syria. The ongoing conflict has triggered concerns about further escalation in the region.
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