New Update – Gaza Conflict Escalates: Hundreds Evacuated as Death Toll Rises
In a grim development, the Gaza Strip continues to be embroiled in conflict, as international efforts intensify to evacuate foreign citizens and alleviate the humanitarian crisis. The region, besieged by ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas, has witnessed a dramatic escalation in violence.
Thursday marked the evacuation of more foreign nationals from the beleaguered Gaza Strip, following reports of extensive Israeli attacks in the Jabalia refugee camp. The Hamas-run government stated that these strikes resulted in the tragic loss of at least 195 Palestinian lives. Israel, on the other hand, maintained that these targeted operations had specifically eliminated Hamas commanders.
The evacuation efforts saw at least 320 foreign citizens, initially from a list of 500, alongside numerous severely injured Gazans, cross into Egypt on Wednesday. This evacuation operation was made possible through a tripartite agreement involving Israel, Egypt, and Hamas.
The foreign passport holders who were evacuated hailed from countries including Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Gaza officials have announced the reopening of the Rafah border crossing to facilitate further evacuations.
A diplomatic source revealed that approximately 7,500 foreign passport holders are expected to depart from Gaza over a two-week period, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
The conflict, which has unfolded with Israel’s offensive against Hamas militants, has seen extensive bombardments by land, sea, and air, in an effort to dismantle the Iran-backed Islamist group. This military campaign was launched following a cross-border incursion by Hamas into southern Israel on October 7.
Israel has alleged that Hamas militants were responsible for the deaths of 1,400 individuals, predominantly civilians, and the capture of more than 200 hostages. Meanwhile, the Gaza health ministry reports a devastating toll of at least 8,796 Palestinians, including 3,648 children, who have lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes since the commencement of hostilities on October 7.
The situation remains fraught with danger, as explosions were reported in the vicinity of Gaza City’s densely populated al-Quds hospital in the early hours of Thursday. Israeli authorities had previously issued a warning for the hospital to be evacuated immediately, a directive that United Nations officials noted was challenging to implement without endangering the lives of patients.
The international community watches with growing concern as the Gaza conflict shows no signs of abating, and diplomatic efforts continue in pursuit of a peaceful resolution to this devastating crisis.
Breaking News: Israel Claims Hamas Commanders Killed in Strikes on Jabalia
In a tumultuous and intensifying situation in the Gaza Strip, Israel has reported that its military operations on Tuesday and Wednesday resulted in the targeted killing of two Hamas military leaders within Jabalia, the largest refugee camp in Gaza. Israel has maintained that these strikes were carried out against what it describes as “terror infrastructure” belonging to Hamas, which were deliberately located in close proximity to civilian buildings, putting Gazan civilians in harm’s way.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s Hamas-run media office has released a statement on Thursday, revealing the devastating toll of these Israeli attacks. According to their report, at least 195 Palestinians lost their lives in the two incidents in Jabalia, with an additional 120 individuals reported as missing. The number of wounded stands at a staggering 777 people.
On Wednesday, amidst the chaos and destruction, Palestinians engaged in a desperate search for survivors and trapped victims. An eyewitness lamented the situation, referring to it as a “massacre.”
The international community has responded with alarm to the situation, as United Nations human rights officials have expressed concerns that the strikes on the Jabalia refugee camp may constitute war crimes. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a statement posted on a social media platform, noted that the high number of civilian casualties and the extensive destruction following the Israeli airstrikes have raised serious questions about the proportionality of these attacks and their potential violation of international law.
Gaza Conflict Deepens with Humanitarian Crisis as Israeli Soldier Killed
The Gaza conflict continues to intensify as the Israeli military reported the loss of another soldier in the ongoing fighting, bringing the total number of Israeli soldiers killed to 17 since ground operations were expanded on Friday. This grim toll underscores the high cost of the military escalation.
Amidst mounting international appeals for a humanitarian pause in hostilities, the situation in the Gaza Strip has grown increasingly dire due to Israel’s assault and a tightened blockade. The besieged territory is grappling with severe shortages of essential resources, including food, fuel, drinking water, and medicine.
Dr. Fathi Abu al-Hassan, a U.S. passport holder who was awaiting the opportunity to cross into Egypt on Wednesday, described the nightmarish conditions in Gaza, where residents are struggling to access water, food, and shelter. “We open our eyes on dead people, and we close our eyes on dead people,” he lamented, highlighting the dire circumstances facing Gazan civilians.
Hospitals in Gaza, including the region’s sole cancer hospital, have been overwhelmed by shortages of fuel, leading to shutdowns and a breakdown in critical medical services. Israel’s refusal to permit humanitarian convoys to bring in fuel has been cited as a concern, with Israeli authorities expressing apprehensions that Hamas fighters could divert such fuel for military purposes.
Ashraf Al-Qudra, a spokesperson for the Gaza health ministry, reported that the main power generator at the Indonesian Hospital was no longer operational due to a lack of fuel. The hospital was being forced to rely on a backup generator, which would no longer be able to power mortuary refrigerators and oxygen generators. Al-Qudra warned, “If we don’t get fuel in the next few days, we will inevitably reach a disaster.”
As the Gaza conflict rages on, international pressure for a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance grows, highlighting the urgent need to address the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in the region. The situation remains a cause for deep concern for the international community as it grapples with the complex challenges and humanitarian fallout of this protracted conflict.
U.S. Diplomat’s Second Visit to Israel Amid Ongoing Conflict
In the midst of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to embark on his second visit to Israel in less than a month. Blinken’s visit is significant as it underlines the United States’ commitment to addressing the situation in the region.
During his visit, Blinken is scheduled to meet with Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Friday. The primary objectives of his visit are to express solidarity with Israel and to reiterate the importance of minimizing civilian casualties among Palestinians, according to his spokesperson.
Additionally, Blinken’s itinerary includes a stop in Jordan, one of the few Arab states that have normalized relations with Israel. Jordan’s decision to withdraw its ambassador from Tel Aviv as a protest against Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza was a noteworthy development on Wednesday. Israel expressed regret over Jordan’s decision, emphasizing the complexities surrounding the conflict.
In Jordan, Blinken is expected to stress the significance of protecting civilian lives and reaffirm the U.S. commitment to ensuring that Palestinians are not forcibly displaced from Gaza, a growing concern in Arab nations. The U.S. Secretary of State will also participate in discussions, led by Egypt and Qatar, aimed at securing the release of all hostages held by Hamas.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives could potentially pass a bill providing $14.3 billion in aid for Israel, with support from Republican lawmakers. However, the bill is unlikely to become law, given the stiff opposition it faces in the Democratic-controlled Senate. The White House has threatened a veto, favoring a $106-billion bill that includes funding for Ukraine, border security, humanitarian aid, and support for Israel. The political dynamics surrounding this aid package continue to evolve as the situation in the region remains fluid and complex.
Inputs Reuters
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