Israel Attacks Gaza by intensifying its military operations in the Gaza Strip following last weekend’s deadly incursion by Hamas militants in Israel. Eyewitnesses on the ground report widespread destruction in Gaza City as a result of Israeli airstrikes, leaving Palestinian civilians with nowhere to escape.
The situation has led to approximately one-tenth of Gaza’s population, roughly 230,000 people, becoming internally displaced as they seek shelter. The Gaza Strip has endured a 16-year-long blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt.
The Biden administration has stated that discussions are underway to create safe corridors for civilians, in line with a call from the U.S. World Food Program to establish emergency humanitarian corridors.
In the past day, ongoing firefights between Hamas gunmen and Israeli soldiers have been reported, adding to the ongoing violence. Hamas militants have launched around 5,000 rockets into Israel, prompting the Israeli army to intensify its attacks on Gaza and prepare for a potentially unspecified next stage of the war, which could include a ground invasion.
The death toll in the Israel-Gaza conflict continues to rise. Israeli media sources have reported at least 1,200 Israelis killed due to Hamas attacks, while Palestinian officials claim that at least 950 Palestinians in Gaza have lost their lives, along with 1,000 Hamas militants inside Israel.
The United States has delivered its first shipment of weapons to Israel. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is also traveling to Israel to convey a message of solidarity and support, as announced by the State Department.
President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington on Tuesday, condemned Hamas’ attack on Israel as “pure unadulterated evil” and pledged to ensure that Israel receives the necessary support for its defense. President Biden further revealed that 14 Americans had been killed in Israel, with more than 20 individuals still missing.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, in an interview with NPR’s All Things Considered, stated that a small number of Americans are among those held hostage by Hamas, with a larger group of Americans unaccounted for. The situation is fluid, and authorities are working to gather as much information as possible.
The current violence began on the Jewish Simchat Torah holiday, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the start of the Yom Kippur War, during which Israel came under attack by Arab countries.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant organization that has held control of Gaza since 2007, launched a major surprise assault on Israel’s southern border over the weekend. They utilized unorthodox methods, including paragliders, motorbikes, and boats, to breach Israel’s borders.
The situation continues to be extremely precarious, with ongoing international initiatives aimed at addressing the crisis and finding a path toward resolving the conflict.
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