Israeli forces have surrounded Gaza City in their attack on Hamas, but the militant group is resisting with hit-and-run attacks from underground tunnels. Israel is focusing its attack on the city and has urged civilians to flee to the south. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that they are at the height of the battle and have made progress in advancing towards Gaza City. Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari confirmed that the troops have encircled Gaza City, which is the main target of Hamas. However, the Israeli troops are facing challenges such as mines and booby traps set by Hamas. Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for Hamas, claimed that Israel’s death toll is higher than reported. Israel has acknowledged the loss of 18 soldiers and the killing of several militants. Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters are using tunnels to launch attacks on Israeli tanks and then retreating back into the network. Palestinian civilians continue to suffer, with UN experts warning of the risk of genocide and shortages of essential supplies such as food, fuel, water, and medicine.The living conditions in Khan Younis, located in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, are deteriorating. Nine-year-old Rafif Abu Ziyada shared that she is experiencing health issues such as stomach pains and headaches due to drinking dirty water. She also mentioned the lack of cooking gas, water, and proper food, as well as the presence of garbage and pollution in the area.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his intention to discuss concrete measures to minimize harm to civilians in Gaza before his trip to the Middle East. This statement was made in response to the dire situation faced by the people in Gaza.
A significant number of Gaza’s hospitals, approximately one-third, are currently non-functional. Many of these hospitals have been transformed into makeshift refugee camps. Medical Aid for Palestinians described the situation as “beyond catastrophic,” with overcrowded corridors and medical professionals who themselves have experienced loss and homelessness.
Seven U.N. special rapporteurs issued a statement in Geneva, expressing their belief that the Palestinian people are at grave risk of genocide. This statement highlights the urgency and severity of the situation.
The article includes a photograph showing Palestinians gathering at the site of Israeli strikes on houses in Bureij, central Gaza Strip. This image serves as a visual representation of the ongoing conflict and its impact on the people of Gaza.
A call for a humanitarian ceasefire is made to ensure that aid reaches those who are in desperate need of assistance. This plea emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the well-being and safety of the affected population.
U.S. national security spokesperson John Kirby stated that temporary, localized humanitarian pauses would not hinder Israel’s right to self-defense. This statement acknowledges the need for Israel to protect itself while also recognizing the importance of humanitarian efforts.
During his meetings in Israel and Jordan, Secretary of State Blinken expressed his intention to discuss the future of Gaza and lay the groundwork for future Palestinian statehood. This demonstrates a commitment to addressing the long-standing conflict and working towards a sustainable solution.
The current war in Gaza began when Hamas fighters breached the border on October 7. Israel claims that this event resulted in the death of 1,400 individuals, mostly civilians, and the capture of over 240 hostages, marking it as the deadliest day in Israel’s history. In response, Israel launched a bombardment campaign on the densely populated Gaza Strip, resulting in a significant number of casualties.
According to Gaza health authorities, the ongoing bombardment by Israel has resulted in the death of at least 9,061 people in the small Palestinian enclave, which is home to 2.3 million individuals. This staggering number further emphasizes the devastating impact of the conflict on the people of Gaza.The Rafah crossing from Gaza to Egypt was opened for limited evacuations for a second day as part of a Qatari-brokered deal. The aim is to allow some foreign passport holders, their dependents, and wounded Gazans to leave the enclave. On Thursday, 400 foreign citizens were scheduled to leave for Egypt via the Rafah crossing, following the departure of 320 individuals on Wednesday. Additionally, dozens of critically injured Palestinians were also expected to cross, prompting Israel to request hospital ships from foreign countries.
Ghada el-Saka, an Egyptian waiting at Rafah to return home after visiting relatives, expressed her frustration, stating, “I want to pass. We are not animals.” She described witnessing death firsthand due to a strike near her siblings’ house, which forced her and her daughter to take refuge in the street. Similarly, Suzan Beseiso, a U.S. citizen with relatives in Gaza, expressed her reluctance to leave, emphasizing the love and concern she has for the people in the region. She described the current situation as being caught between “ice and fire,” uncertain if she will ever see her family and friends again, as the violence continues to claim lives.
Gaza border officials announced that the Rafah crossing would reopen on Friday for further evacuations. Egypt’s foreign ministry estimated that nearly 7,000 nationals from over 60 countries would be leaving, and the evacuation process could take up to two weeks, according to diplomatic sources.
In the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, an airstrike destroyed clusters of houses, resulting in the recovery of 15 bodies from the rubble. As people gathered the corpses, they cried out, calling it a “massacre.” Israel is in discussions with medical agencies to establish field hospitals in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s recent strikes have targeted the heavily populated area of Jabalia, which has been a refugee camp since 1948. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run media office, at least 195 Palestinians were killed in the two attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday, with 120 individuals still missing and over 777 people injured. Israel, accusing Hamas of using civilians as shields, claimed to have killed two Hamas commanders in Jabalia.
The article was reported by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza, Ali Sawafta in Ramallah, Dan Williams, Emily Rose, Maytaal Angel in Jerusalem, Clauda Tanios in Dubai, with additional reporting by RushHourDaily bureaux worldwide. The writing credits go to Stephen Coates, Andrew Cawthorne, Nick Macfie, and Cynthia Osterman. The article was edited by Angus MacSwan and Howard Goller. The Thomson RushHourDaily Trust Principles are upheld in the reporting.
The author of the article is a senior correspondent with extensive experience covering the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including multiple wars and the signing of the first historic peace accord between the two sides.
