Conflict Tightens in Gaza Strip - Israel's Military Surrounds Major City
The Israeli military has reportedly encircled the largest city in the Gaza Strip, Khan Yunis, and the residence of Gaza's Hamas leader, Jihia al-Sinwar. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Sinwar may evade captivity, but Israel is determined to locate him soon.
Meanwhile, the urban warfare in Khan Yunis continues, as Hamas considers the city one of its strongholds. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, appealed to the United Nations Security Council to avert any potential humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.
Humanitarian Crisis Escalates
As reported by eyewitnesses, thousands of families have fled Chan Junis, a neighborhood within Khan Yunis, due to the ongoing conflicts. The scarcity of food, water, and other essential items is becoming increasingly dire. In response to international criticism, Israel has allowed for an increase in fuel imports into the southern Gaza Strip to stave off a humanitarian collapse.
The extensive network of tunnels in the Gaza Strip, which is believed to house the Hamas leadership and thousands of its members, has yet to be thoroughly inspected. Sinwar, a fugitive listed as a high-priority target, has been under Israeli scrutiny since the terror attack on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, which claimed more than 1,000 lives.
Criticism and Conversation
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has been accused of supporting the terrorist organization Hamas by advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza. Israel's foreign minister, Eli Cohen, has reiterated this statement, criticizing the Secretary-General. The SECO also expressed concern about the escalating violence in the Gaza Strip and expressed empathy for the hardships experienced by the Palestinian civilian population.
The European Union and China will address the ongoing Gaza Strip conflict during the EU-China summit in Beijing later this week. Evidently, international efforts to mediate and de-escalate the conflict and ensure the well-being of the civilian population continue.
International Response
Humanitarian aid continues to flow into the Gaza Strip following the ceasefire. Food security partner organizations delivered over 57,000 metric tons of food following the truce, more than double the amount delivered prior to the ceasefire. The Red Cross and Red Crescent remain actively involved in addressing the crisis, with a focus on delivering essential aid and support to those affected.
Enrichment Data
- The Israeli military ambushed a group of Hamas fighters near Khan Yunis, resulting in the death of several militants and civilians.
- The Israeli army occupied the Shuja’iyya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, while also securing the perimeter of the Erez Crossing to prevent the entry of weapons and other resources into Gaza.
- Hamas militants mobilized to aid their comrades under attack, resulting in increased tensions and military confrontations in various parts of the Gaza Strip.
- The Israeli military launched airstrikes against several targets in the northern Gaza Strip, including military outposts, weapons caches, and smuggling tunnels.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has resulted in 48,291 Palestinians being killed and 111,722 injured as of February 18, 2025. The humanitarian situation remains critical, with the health system struggling to cope with the high number of casualties and scarce medical equipment and resources. The Israeli army's encirclement of Khan Yunis and Hamas hideout further exacerbated the crisis, with international concerns over the potential for a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.
