Israel, steadfast in its commitment to obliterate the Hamas governance in Gaza, found impetus following an audacious breach by Hamas fighters on October 7. This breach resulted in the tragic demise of 1,300 Israelis, predominantly civilians, marking the deadliest day in the annals of Israel’s 75-year history.
Gaza, housing 2.3 million Palestinians, is ensconced in a comprehensive blockade, subjected to unprecedented aerial bombardments, and bracing for an anticipated ground incursion. Reports from Gaza authorities indicate a grim toll of over 2,800 casualties, with a quarter of them being children, and over 10,000 wounded languishing in hospitals grappling with a dire shortage of essential provisions.
The United Nations asserts that a million Gazans have been forcibly displaced from their abodes. The region grapples with power outages, a dearth of potable water, and an imminent depletion of fuel for hospital emergency generators.
In a significant escalation hinting at the conflict’s potential expansion, Israel issued directives for the evacuation of 28 villages situated within a two-kilometer buffer near the Lebanese border. Hezbollah, Lebanon’s influential movement, claimed responsibility for targeting five Israeli positions.
Addressing the parliament, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Israelis to brace for a protracted struggle. “Now we are focused on one target: to unite forces and charge forward to victory. This requires determination because victory will take time,” he declared. Netanyahu issued a stern message to Iran and Hezbollah, cautioning against provocation in the north, underscoring the hefty price they would pay.
Despite ten days of relentless military strikes, Hamas retains its capability to launch rockets into Israel, triggering warning sirens. A barrage from Hamas targeted Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, underscoring the persistent threat.
During a tense alert, Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on his second visit to Israel in five days, sought refuge in a bunker.
Diplomatic channels have been strained, with a focal point on facilitating aid through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, the lone exit not under Israeli control. However, the Egyptian side of the crossing remained deserted due to Israeli strikes on the Gaza side, rendering it nonfunctional.
Martin Griffiths, the UN humanitarian aid chief, embarked on a journey to Cairo on Tuesday, aiming to expedite the movement of life-saving assistance through the beleaguered Rafah crossing. Washington prioritizes the brief opening of the crossing to allow Gazans with US passports to depart.
While Egypt contemplates permitting medical evacuations and controlled entry for select Gazans, a mass exodus is not on the agenda. Egypt and fellow Arab states adamantly oppose a widespread displacement, viewing it as an unacceptable expulsion of Palestinians from their homeland.
Notwithstanding Israel’s directive for over a million people in the northern enclave to relocate to the safer southern half, compliance is challenging. Hamas, countermanding the directive, advises residents to stay put. The United Nations warns of an impending humanitarian catastrophe, emphasizing the logistical impossibility of moving such a vast population.
