Israeli forces continue to bombard the southern Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths and injuries of numerous Palestinians. Despite repeated pleas from the United States and the United Nations to safeguard civilians, Israel has pressed ahead with its air and ground attacks. The US, Israel’s closest ally, has stated that it is too early to determine if Israel is doing enough to protect civilians and has called on Israel to refrain from striking areas designated as safe zones.
Eyewitnesses and journalists on the ground have reported that the intense Israeli airstrikes have targeted areas where people were instructed to seek shelter. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Israel to avoid actions that would worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and to spare civilians from further suffering.
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Since the collapse of the truce between Israel and Hamas, Israeli forces have rapidly advanced into the southern half of Gaza. Fierce clashes between Hamas fighters and Israeli soldiers have been reported, and Israeli tanks have cut off the main north-south route in Gaza.
Israel has confirmed that three of its soldiers died in combat on Monday, bringing the total number of Israeli military casualties in Gaza to 78 since the ground invasion began. Israel launched its assault in response to a cross-border attack by Hamas gunmen, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of 240 hostages.
The Gazan health ministry has reported that at least 15,899 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the eight weeks of conflict. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza, has expressed concern about the displacement of people who were previously displaced, overcrowded hospitals, and limited humanitarian supplies.
The Director General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has also called on Israel to protect civilians and infrastructure, including hospitals. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with up to 80% of the population already displaced.
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Israel has ordered Palestinians in Khan Younis to leave certain areas and move towards the coast or the town of Rafah near the Egyptian border. Many Gazans have packed their belongings and embarked on a solemn procession towards Rafah. The US has stated that it is an improvement that Israel is now seeking targeted evacuations rather than evacuating entire cities.
While Israel has expressed regret over civilian casualties, it maintains that it did not initiate the war and must confront the threat posed by Hamas. Israel accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields by operating from civilian areas, including tunnels that can only be destroyed by large bombs. Hamas denies these allegations.
