Anticipated prolonged conflict persists in Gaza City, according to the Israeli military.
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, a ground offensive was initiated by the Israeli military in the early hours of Monday night. According to army spokesperson Effie Defrin, thousands of soldiers are involved in the operation.
The offensive, which is being carried out with the aim of dismantling Hamas's extensive network of tunnels hidden among civilians and civilian infrastructure, has resulted in widespread destruction in the northern part of Gaza. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called the situation "appalling" and "morally, politically, and legally intolerable."
Israel maintains that it only targets Hamas, while the terrorist organization is accused of exploiting civilians as human shields. However, the UN-appointed commission of human rights lawyers concluded in a report that Israel's conduct of the war aims to destroy the Palestinians. Israel has condemned the report as scandalous.
Amidst the chaos, aid organizations, including Save the Children, are urging the international community to take urgent action. The cost of essential services, such as renting a car to transport belongings, has skyrocketed, making it unaffordable for many Palestinians who are unable to flee the city due to financial constraints.
Despite the ongoing offensive, Netanyahu has also instructed the army to find ways to make it easier for people to leave Gaza. However, many still cannot afford to do so, with 48 hostages remaining in the Gaza Strip, 20 of whom are reportedly still alive according to Israeli information.
Netanyahu has warned Hamas not to harm the hostages taken from Israel, threatening that Israel will hunt them until the end of their lives if they do. The EU Commission is set to present further concrete proposals for sanctions against Israel in response to its actions in Gaza.
The Israeli army estimates that up to 3,000 combat-ready Hamas members are present in the coastal city of Gaza, while some officials suggest that many are new recruits with little training. The ground offensive could last for months, according to Defrin.
In the midst of accusations from families of hostages that Netanyahu is sacrificing their relatives for political reasons, the Israeli Prime Minister stated that nearly 400,000 people have evacuated the combat zone, which is less than half of the estimated one million residents.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the international community is urged to take immediate action to alleviate the suffering of civilians and find a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
