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Escalation in Gaza Conflict as Netanyahu Stands Firm
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Saturday that there is no option but to persist in military operations in Gaza. He emphasized that the conflict will not cease until Hamas is dismantled, hostages are returned, and Israel’s security concerns regarding the territory are thoroughly addressed.
In a related commitment, Netanyahu insisted on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Pressure surrounding Netanyahu’s administration has been mounting domestically, particularly from families of hostages and groups comprising reservists and former soldiers. They are vocalizing their doubts about the justification for continuing the military operations, especially after a ceasefire collapsed last month. Netanyahu claimed that Hamas has declined Israel’s latest offer to release half of the hostages in exchange for a renewed ceasefire.
These statements came in the wake of Israeli airstrikes that reportedly resulted in over 90 fatalities over just two days, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israeli ground forces have intensified assaults in an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages and disarming.
Among the deceased are women and children. Reports from local hospitals indicated that in southern Khan Younis, 11 fatalities were recorded, many occurring in a tent located in the Muwasi area, which has become a refuge for numerous displaced individuals. This area has been classified by Israel as a humanitarian zone.
Grieving relatives mournfully held and kissed the remains of the deceased. One brother lamented, “Omar is gone … I wish it was me,” in a poignant display of loss.
Additionally, four other fatalities were confirmed in Rafah city strikes, including that of a mother and daughter, as stated by the European Hospital, where their bodies were transferred.
On the same day, an Israeli airstrike west of Nuseirat targeted civilians, resulting in one death, according to reports from Al-Awda Hospital.
The Israeli military stated it had eliminated more than 40 militants during this weekend’s operations.
In a separate incident, Israeli authorities confirmed the death of a soldier during operations in northern Gaza, marking the first military casualty since the re-escalation of the conflict on March 18. Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, has claimed responsibility by stating they ambushed Israeli forces near Gaza City’s al-Tuffah neighborhood.
Israel’s military has announced plans to escalate its campaign across Gaza, aiming to establish extensive “security zones” within the densely populated coastal enclave. In response, Hamas is insisting on the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Continuing its blockade, Israel has restricted the entry of food and essential supplies into Gaza for the past six weeks.
This week, humanitarian organizations sounded the alarm over the dire situation, noting that thousands of children are suffering from malnutrition while many families are struggling to have even one meal a day amid dwindling resources, according to the United Nations.
Dr. Hanan Balkhy, head of the World Health Organization’s Eastern Mediterranean office, called on the new U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, to advocate for lifting the blockade so that medical supplies and humanitarian aid can flow into Gaza.
“I wish he could visit and witness the situation firsthand,” she remarked.
The ongoing conflict erupted when Hamas-led militants launched an assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, primarily civilians, and the abduction of 251 individuals. While many hostages have been released as part of ceasefire negotiations, Hamas is believed to still hold 59, with 24 confirmed alive.
The Israeli military actions have led to the deaths of over 51,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
Widespread destruction across Gaza has severely impaired food production, displacing about 90% of the population, with many living in makeshift shelters or damaged buildings.
As frustrations rise on both sides, sporadic demonstrations against Hamas have emerged in Gaza, while ongoing protests in Israel express demands for a resolution to secure the release of all hostages.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered Saturday night in Israel, vocally urging the government to take decisive action on the hostage crisis.
“Act as you should have long ago. Bring everyone home now, and in one arrangement. If this necessitates halting the war, then do so,” implored former hostage Omer Shem Tov at a Tel Aviv rally.
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Reports were contributed by Magdy from Cairo and Federman from Jerusalem, with additional input from Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten based in Geneva.
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For ongoing coverage of the conflict, visit AP News.
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This article has been updated to correct the day the WHO official made comments.
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