The Israeli military has surrounded Gaza City in an operation targeting Hamas militants. Despite this, Hamas has been resisting with guerrilla-style attacks from underground tunnels. The latest attack from Israel comes amid Arab leaders increasing pressure on the country to ease the blockade of Gaza and temporarily halt attacks to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians.
As the conflict approaches its fourth week, the Palestinian death toll has exceeded 9,000, while more than 1,400 people, mainly civilians, have lost their lives on the Israeli side.
Israel-Hamas War: Top developments
‘Time is up’ leaflets
During intense explosions in Gaza, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesperson, informed reporters that their forces had successfully encircled Gaza City, which is considered the focal point of the Hamas organization. Additionally, Brigadier General Iddo Mizrahi, the chief of Israel’s military engineers, reported that their troops were encountering mines and booby traps, indicating that Hamas had prepared for such a situation.
In response, Abu Ubaida, a spokesperson for Hamas’ armed wing, delivered a televised speech in which he claimed that Israel’s death toll in Gaza was significantly higher than what the military had officially stated, warning that Israeli soldiers would return in “body bags”.
On Thursday, Israeli planes dropped leaflets urging residents to evacuate the Shati refugee camp, situated near Gaza City’s center, with a stern message “Time is up”, before strikes against Hamas militants would occur with significant force.
UN shelter facilities hit
Despite Israel’s repeated evacuation calls, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians still find themselves in the line of fire in northern Gaza. Many of them have sought refuge in United Nations facilities, desperately seeking safety. Tragically, in the past day, four UN schools converted into shelters in northern Gaza, including the Bureij area, were struck, resulting in the loss of 24 lives. Philippe Lazzarini, the general secretary of the UN agency responsible for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, reported the toll.
Blinken to visit Israel again
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to make his second visit to Israel on Friday, and he plans to travel to Jordan. President Joe Biden has called for a temporary humanitarian pause in the conflict. In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the idea of a ceasefire, stating that Israel is advancing relentlessly and is determined to dismantle Hamas rule in Gaza.
Blinken expressed his intention to address specific measures aimed at reducing harm to Gaza civilians and to focus on the release of more than 200 hostages held by Hamas during his trip to Israel.
Refugee camp hit in Gaza
At least 15 people lost their lives following an Israeli airstrike on the Bureij refugee camp in Gaza on Thursday. Numerous others are suspected to be trapped under the debris. Medical personnel and emergency responders faced difficulties in evacuating both the wounded and the deceased due to severely damaged infrastructure and limited fuel supplies. The Bureij refugee camp is inhabited by an estimated 46,000 residents.
Hezbollah attacks Israeli army positions
Lebanon’s Hezbollah launched multiple attacks on Israeli army positions on Thursday, using explosive drones for the first time. In response, Israel conducted air strikes on southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation of violence. The Israeli military retaliated to the attacks from Lebanon with air strikes on Hezbollah targets, as well as tank and artillery fire.
As a result of these hostilities, two people were injured when rockets fired from Lebanon struck the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona. Hamas claimed responsibility for firing 12 rockets from Lebanon. The Israeli military responded with warplanes and helicopter gunships, leading to the reported deaths of four Lebanese civilians according to local media.