Israeli Forces Conduct Second Ground Raid in Gaza Amid Rising Death Toll; US Warplanes Target Iran-Linked Sites in Syria
Israeli forces have carried out a second ground raid into Gaza within 48 hours, backed by fighter jets and drones, as the death toll in the region continues to climb. The military has also struck targets on the outskirts of Gaza City, in what appears to be preparations for a potential ground invasion of the Hamas-controlled territory. The airstrikes come as tensions in the region remain high, with US warplanes launching strikes in eastern Syria against targets linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. These airstrikes were a response to a series of attacks on US forces by Iran-backed fighters.
The Palestinian death toll has surged past 7,000 as Israel intensifies its bombardment in response to a Hamas incursion into southern Israel. The Gaza Health Ministry released a detailed list of names and ID numbers, revealing that the death toll includes over 2,900 minors and more than 1,500 women. This number exceeds the combined toll of the four previous wars between Israel and Hamas, estimated at around 4,000. Israel claims that during the initial Hamas attack, over 1,400 people in Israel, mostly civilians, were killed. Hamas currently holds at least 229 captives, including men, women, and children, inside Gaza.
The airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in the flattening of entire neighborhoods, causing unprecedented levels of death and destruction. Over a million people have been displaced, with many heeding Israeli evacuation orders despite ongoing strikes across the territory. The dire humanitarian crisis created by the war and the Israeli siege has led to protests across the region, with further demonstrations expected after weekly Muslim prayers.
The Israeli military has stated that the recent ground raids are aimed at uncovering and neutralizing militants, as well as removing explosive devices and launch pads. These raids are part of Israel’s strategy to prepare the ground for the next stages of the war. Satellite photos taken before the war and recently reveal the extensive damage inflicted upon Gaza. Residential buildings have been reduced to rubble, and entire complexes have been destroyed.
Israel asserts that it only targets militant sites and accuses Hamas of operating among civilians. The military claimed that one of the masterminds behind the October 7 massacre, Shadi Barud, the head of Hamas’ intelligence unit, was killed in an airstrike. Hamas’ military wing, on the other hand, has accused Israel of killing around 50 hostages, although these claims have not been verified by Israeli officials.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has raised concerns of a wider regional war. Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed ally of Hamas, has engaged in exchanges of fire with Israel along the border, while Israel has targeted Iran-linked groups in Syria. In response to the escalating tensions, the United States has deployed two aircraft carrier strike groups, along with additional fighter jets and personnel, to the region as a deterrent. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the recent strikes in Syria were a response to ongoing attacks on US personnel by Iranian-backed militias. He emphasized that the operation was separate from Israel’s war against Hamas.
As the violence continues, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire. Basic supplies such as food, medicine, and fuel for emergency generators are running low, and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees warns that it may soon run out of fuel. Gaza’s sole power station has shut down due to lack of fuel, and Israel has prohibited fuel deliveries, suspecting that Hamas might divert them for military purposes.
While some aid has been allowed into Gaza from Egypt, it only meets a fraction of the territory’s growing humanitarian needs. Prior to the war, an average of 500 trucks entered Gaza daily, compared to the limited number currently being allowed through. The US has been working with other mediators to increase humanitarian aid, but Israel insists on strict screening to prevent it from falling into the hands of Hamas.
The situation in Gaza remains highly volatile, with no end to the conflict in sight. As more lives are lost and the humanitarian crisis deepens, international pressure is mounting for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The region teeters on the brink of further unrest and the possibility of a wider conflagration.
