Drone view of a junk yard for Israeli vehicles destroyed in a Hamas attack, on a field in Netivot, Israel, November 1, 2023. Reuters/Amir Cohen
Israeli forces have advanced deeper into Gaza City, the primary urban center in the Gaza Strip, in their ongoing military operation against Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced this development, emphasizing their intention to dismantle Hamas’s command structure. However, the militant group has been employing guerrilla tactics, including hit-and-run attacks from underground tunnels.
The focus of Israel’s assault has centered on Gaza City in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, and they have urged civilians to evacuate to the south. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated, “We’re at the height of the battle. We’ve had impressive successes and have advanced into the outskirts of Gaza City.” He did not provide further details.
Brigadier General Iddo Mizrahi, chief of Israel’s military engineers, reported that their forces are in the initial stages of opening access routes in Gaza but are encountering mines and booby traps. He noted that Hamas has been well-prepared and has adapted to the situation.
Residents have observed that Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters are emerging from tunnels to fire at Israeli tanks and then retreating back into the underground network, as seen in videos from both groups.
Despite international calls for a humanitarian ceasefire, the suffering of Palestinian civilians continues. U.N. experts have expressed concern, stating that they are at “grave risk of genocide.” Palestinian civilians have been facing shortages of food, fuel, drinking water, and medicine. The situation has become dire, with severe challenges related to basic necessities.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, ahead of his trip to the Middle East, has expressed the intention to discuss concrete measures to minimize harm to civilians in Gaza. He noted that civilians are bearing the brunt of the conflict.
The healthcare system in Gaza is under significant strain, with over a third of the region’s hospitals non-operational. Many have been turned into makeshift refugee camps to accommodate those displaced by the conflict.
The current conflict began when Hamas fighters breached the border on October 7th. Israel reported significant casualties, including civilians, on that day. Subsequently, Israel initiated a military campaign in the densely populated Gaza Strip, resulting in a substantial loss of life, particularly among children and women.
The Rafah crossing from Gaza to Egypt has been opened for limited evacuations as part of a Qatari-brokered deal involving Israel, Egypt, Hamas, and the United States. The initiative aims to allow foreign passport holders, their dependents, and some wounded Gazans to leave the enclave. Israel has also requested foreign countries to send hospital ships to assist critically injured Palestinians.
The international community, including the United States, traditionally a supporter of Israel, has been witnessing harrowing images from Gaza, leading to appeals for restraint and protests worldwide.
Violence has not been limited to Gaza; it has also extended to the occupied West Bank, where Israeli raids have sparked clashes with armed individuals and protestors throwing stones. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern that Israel’s “disproportionate attacks” may amount to war crimes.
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