Israeli Strikes Continue in Southern Gaza Strip Amidst Calls for Civilians’ Protection
Israeli forces have persisted in their bombardment of the southern Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths and injuries of numerous Palestinians. Despite calls from the United States and the United Nations for Israel to protect civilians, strikes have continued in areas where people have been instructed to seek shelter.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed to Israel to avoid causing further harm to the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. However, Israeli tanks have entered Gaza and cut off main routes, causing further disruption for the residents.
Israel has reported that three soldiers died in combat in Gaza on Monday, bringing the total casualties to 78 since the ground invasion began. Israel launched its assault on Hamas in retaliation for a cross-border attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the seizure of hostages.
The Gazan health ministry has reported that at least 15,899 Palestinians, including many women and children, have been killed in the conflict so far. The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza has warned that no place is safe in the region, and hospitals are being overcrowded.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) has called on Israel to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals. It is estimated that as many as 80% of Gaza’s population has already fled their homes during the eight weeks of conflict.
In a recent development, Israel has ordered Palestinians to leave parts of Khan Younis, leading to a mass exodus towards Rafah. While US officials express cautious approval of Israel seeking targeted evacuations rather than evacuating entire cities, tensions continue to rise.
Israel denies starting the war, emphasizing the difficulty of combating evil, and expressing regret for civilian casualties. On a more positive note, over 100 hostages seized by Hamas were freed during a previous truce, but 137 individuals remain in captivity.
Israel accuses Hamas of operating from civilian areas, including tunnels, but Hamas denies these accusations. Furthermore, according to US officials, Israel is considering the use of pumps to flood Hamas tunnels in Gaza.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces have recently killed one Palestinian man and critically wounded another person. The situation remains highly volatile, and tensions are escalating on multiple fronts.
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