Thousands of Palestinians sought refuge as Israel warned of a ground offensive in the northern Gaza Strip, escalating the conflict after a deadly attack last week.
Thousands of Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip have sought refuge after Israel issued warnings of an expected ground offensive against Hamas. This comes one week after a deadly attack in Israel, which the Israeli government has compared to the 9/11 attacks in the United States.
The attack by Hamas militants involved the killing, stabbing, and burning of more than 1,300 people, resulting in massive retaliatory bombings by Israel. The conflict has already claimed the lives of over 2,200 people in Gaza. Concerns have grown over the safety of Palestinian civilians in the densely populated Gaza Strip, as they may become caught in the crossfire of urban combat and house-to-house fighting.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern about the situation and emphasized that “even wars have rules,” insisting that “civilians must be protected and also never used as shields.”
Israel, which is determined to destroy Hamas, has mobilized ground forces and tanks near Gaza. They have dropped leaflets in the northern part of the enclave, warning civilians to evacuate, and conducted “localised” raids to clear the area of terrorists and weaponry. These raids have also aimed to locate “missing persons” held by Hamas, who are being used as hostages.
The conflict has resulted in extensive destruction in Gaza, with over 1,300 buildings destroyed, according to the UN. The situation has left the population facing extreme hardship, with shortages of basic necessities like food, water, and electricity.
International humanitarian organizations have condemned both the Hamas attack in Israel and the Israeli military’s response in Gaza. The Red Cross stated that the attacks on both sides are horrific and unjustifiable. The ongoing conflict has sparked protests in several countries, expressing solidarity with the Palestinians.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has indicated that the current bombardment is just the beginning of a campaign to crush Hamas. Israel has intensified its efforts, including targeted strikes against key Hamas figures and infrastructure.
This conflict has caused regional tensions to rise, with protests and clashes taking place in various countries. Tensions have escalated in the occupied West Bank, leading to the deaths of dozens of Palestinians.
Amid the ongoing conflict, Hamas is holding around 150 hostages, and there are concerns about their safety if Israel launches unannounced strikes on civilian targets. US President Joe Biden has assured the families of 14 Americans missing since the Hamas attack that every effort will be made to find them.
The United States has voiced strong support for Israel and provided military aid. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been on a regional tour in an effort to maintain stability in the Arab world.
The ongoing situation in Gaza and the threat of a ground invasion have prompted fears for the safety of civilians. The evacuation of northern Gaza has been a major concern, with Israel urging residents to leave the area immediately. However, there is confusion about the timeline for the mass evacuation.
The conflict has disrupted diplomatic efforts, with Saudi Arabia deciding to pause discussions about potential normalization of ties with Israel. The Biden administration had been pushing for diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, following similar deals with other Arab states like the United Arab Emirates.