Israel Increases Gaza Attacks as US Promises Aid; Thousands Killed, Ground Invasion Imminent
Israel has launched a series of intensified air strikes in Gaza, targeting both the southern and northern parts, while the United States has pledged to provide further aid to Palestinians who are facing a severe shortage of essential supplies. Reports from Palestinian media indicate that at least 11 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike in the southern city of Khan Younis, with additional strikes reported in the city of Rafah.
The Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari recently urged Gazans to move to safer areas in the south, as the attacks continue to escalate. For your own safety, move southward. We will continue to attack in the area of Gaza City and increase attacks, Hagari stated during a briefing to Israeli reporters on Saturday.
In an effort to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the first aid convoy since the conflict broke out was permitted to enter the besieged territory through the Rafah border crossing. This convoy, consisting of 20 trucks, carried life-saving supplies that will be received by the Palestinian Red Crescent. However, the United Nations acknowledges that the volume of goods delivered is only a fraction of what is required, considering the 13 days of blockade during which Gaza’s two million inhabitants have been running desperately low on essential items such as food, water, medication, and fuel.
The arrival of this aid has been welcomed by US President Joe Biden, who has expressed his commitment to ensure that more assistance reaches Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. Biden stated, We will continue to work with all parties to address the dire situation.
Moreover, the United States has proposed a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council, asserting Israel’s right to defend itself while demanding that Iran cease exporting arms to militias and terrorist groups threatening peace and security across the region.
The conflict between Israel and Gaza was sparked by a cross-border attack on southern Israel by Hamas militants on October 7th, resulting in the deaths of 1,400 people, mostly civilians. In response, Israel initiated a total siege of Gaza. Since then, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that Israeli air and missile strikes have killed at least 4,385 Palestinians, including hundreds of children, and over one million people have been displaced from their homes.
With Israel assembling tanks and troops near the fenced border, a ground invasion is looming, with an objective to dismantle Hamas and end the cycle of inconclusive wars that have persisted since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.
To prepare for the upcoming phase of the conflict, Israeli troops have conducted live fire drills. Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi addressed the troops in a video message, stating, We are going to go into the Gaza Strip… to destroy Hamas operatives and infrastructure, and we will have in our minds the memories of the images and those who perished on that Saturday two weeks ago.
In response to Israeli air strikes, Hamas fired rockets towards Tel Aviv on Saturday, resulting in casualties. Concerns are mounting globally that the situation could escalate into a wider regional conflict. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati during a phone call that the Lebanese people would be affected should the country become involved in the conflict.
The violence has not been contained to Gaza alone, as Israeli aircraft reportedly struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Saturday. In return, the Iran-backed group claimed that six of its fighters were killed. Furthermore, Palestinian medics have reported Israeli air strikes in the occupied West Bank, specifically in the Jenin refugee camp, resulting in the deaths of two Palestinians and several injuries.
As tensions continue to rise and casualties increase, the international community is calling for an immediate de-escalation and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Efforts to provide critical humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza are being intensified, but the magnitude of the crisis demands urgent and sustained international support.
