Israel Rejects Ceasefire Calls as Gaza Death Toll Surpasses 10,000
GAZA, Nov 7: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Monday that Israel would maintain “overall security” control of Gaza even as international calls for a ceasefire grow louder. The Hamas-run health ministry reported a staggering death toll of over 10,000 in Gaza, including more than 4,000 children, a month into the conflict.
Netanyahu, resisting pressure for a ceasefire, asserted that there would be no letup in the Israeli offensive aimed at destroying Hamas, the group responsible for the October 7 attack that left 1,400 dead in Israel, with most of the casualties being civilians. The militant group had also taken over 240 hostages, including children and the elderly, which led to Israel’s extensive bombardment of Gaza and an escalating ground operation.
Ongoing Gaza Conflict: Concerns Mount as Casualty Count Climbs
With mounting international criticism over Israel’s conduct of the war, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres lamented that Gaza had become a “graveyard for children.” Over 1.5 million people in densely populated Gaza have been displaced from their homes, desperately seeking shelter while essential aid trickles in at a slow pace.
Netanyahu’s assertion of Israel maintaining “overall security” control over Gaza followed discussions with US President Joe Biden about potential “tactical pauses” in the conflict. However, no ceasefire agreements were reached during the conversation, and the possibility of a broader ceasefire was not discussed.
While the United States, a key Israeli ally, seeks a humanitarian “pause” in the fighting, several nations and UN agencies have repeatedly called for a full ceasefire. Netanyahu, on the other hand, reiterated that a general ceasefire in Gaza would only be considered upon the release of the hostages held by Hamas.
The Israeli army reported “significant” strikes on 450 targets in Gaza over 24 hours from Sunday morning, with a focus on targeting Hamas commanders in underground tunnels. Israeli infantry and tanks have advanced into the northern part of the Gaza Strip, further tightening the encirclement of Gaza City, effectively splitting the territory into two.
Israeli troops stationed near the Gaza border expressed a mix of pride in protecting their country and unease as the conflict escalates. One 20-year-old soldier shared his concerns about the possibility of entering Palestinian territory, citing the uncertainty of returning safely.
Israel withdrew its troops from Gaza in 2005, and Hamas seized power from the Palestinian Authority two years later. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested that Gaza should be returned to Palestinian Authority control after the war. Still, Hamas vehemently rejected the idea, emphasizing that they would not accept a puppet government in Gaza.
As the conflict continues to unfold, the world watches and hopes for a peaceful resolution to a dire situation that has taken a devastating toll on both Israeli and Palestinian civilians.
In related developments, Hamas militants fired rockets from Lebanon into northern Israel, and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a drone attack against Israel. The United States has strengthened its military presence in the region to discourage further escalation of the conflict.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to attend a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Japan, where the ongoing conflict will likely feature prominently on the agenda.
Meanwhile, in a symbolic protest, hundreds of US Jewish activists peacefully occupied the Statue of Liberty in New York to demand a ceasefire and an end to the violence against civilians in Gaza. The protesters emphasized the need for global attention to the suffering of Gaza’s people and the urgency for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Israel’s Gaza Offensive Continues as Casualty Count Rises
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