War in Gaza Strip - Intense urban battleground between Israel and Hamas
Israel's military is engaged in an intense urban warfare with Hamas in the Gaza Strip's largest city, Chan Junis, a stronghold for the Islamist group. The Israeli soldiers have pushed into the city's heart, forcing residents to flee and marking a significant escalation in the conflict.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) described the entire Gaza Strip as one of the most dangerous places worldwide, with the situation prompting alarm among international organizations. The Israeli army continues to conduct air strikes, targeting over 250 "terror targets" in the past day, as they search for weapons, tunnel shafts, explosives, and military infrastructure.
Ground offensive and air strikes
The Israeli military suspects that Hamas leadership and some of the hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip reside nearby Egypt. If the army takes control of the city, Hamas fighters would only be able to retreat to small areas in the center of the Gaza Strip and on the border with Egypt. Meanwhile, international pressure on Israel to end the ground offensive is growing.
In other parts of the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces have also struck Lebanon due to reported rocket attacks. The army has targeted launch sites in Lebanon, and grappling with the threat of cross-border violence is a constant concern for Israeli forces.
UN chief urges Security Council to take decisive action on Gaza
António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, called for the Security Council to interfere in the situation with exceptional actions, invoking Article 99 of the UN Charter for the first time since his tenure started in 2017. Guterres emphasized that a humanitarian catastrophe looms in the Gaza Strip, with international cooperation being essential to avoid it.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza Strip was triggered by the worst massacre in Israeli history, carried out by Hamas and other terrorist groups on Oct. 7 near the border with Gaza. The deadly attack resulted in over 1,200 deaths, including an additional 240 hostages taken in the Gaza Strip, 105 of whom were freed during a temporary ceasefire. In response to the terror attack, Israel launched airstrikes and ground operations in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinians unable to escape the conflict zone
Tens of thousands of Palestinians are reportedly living in distressing conditions due to the fighting in the south of the Gaza Strip. Many are living in tents in the streets of Chan Junis, with a lack of food, water, and shelter. The Israeli military has urged residents in eastern Chan Junis to evacuate to western districts and Rafah on the Egypt border, leading to an intensifying humanitarian crisis.
Israeli military discovers huge weapons cache
In the north of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army claimed to have found a vast weapons cache near a hospital and a school. The cache contained hundreds of anti-tank rounds, bazookas, anti-tank missiles, explosive devices, longer-range rockets, dozens of grenades, and numerous drones. Israel has warned of the potential threat posed by these weapons near civilian areas.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemns Israeli officials
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemned former and current Israeli high-ranking officials for "inhuman and inflammatory statements" denigrating Palestinians. Türk urged restraint and a peaceful resolution to the conflict, warning that these inflammatory statements could further escalate tensions between Israel and the Palestinians.
Turkish President Erdogan threatens Israel
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish President, threatened Israel immediately after the discovery of the weapons cache near the Gaza Strip, warning against the persecution of Hamas leaders in Turkey. Erdogan's office claimed that any attempt to harm Hamas leaders in Turkey would lead to severe consequences.
Israel intercepts rockets, pressuring its enemies
The Israeli military intercepted a surface-to-surface missile using its Arrow missile defense system, ensuring no civilian casualties. This move reinforced how Israel is determined to defend its borders from constant missile threats, increasing pressure on its enemies to cease hostilities.
International community steps up to avert catastrophe
With the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip worsening, the international community has taken steps to avoid a catastrophe. The UN has dispatched emergency teams to provide aid, while countries like the US, France, Germany, and the UK, have expressed support and advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The ongoing situation in the Gaza Strip leaves millions of lives hanging in the balance, as the international community works tirelessly to prevent further escalation and bring an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people.
