Israeli Forces Launch Ground Offensive in Gaza City
Israeli military forces have initiated a ground offensive in Gaza City, as announced on Friday. This escalation in operations comes on the heels of significant conflict developments, with reports of at least 30 deaths across the Palestinian territories since dawn. The renewed military actions followed a brief truce with Hamas and part of Israel’s strategy to regain control over land in the Gaza Strip, with the stated goal of compelling militants to release hostages.
In conjunction with operations in Gaza, Israel has also intensified its attacks in Lebanon. On the same day, a pre-dawn strike on the port city of Sidon resulted in the death of a Hamas commander, further escalating tensions in the region.
Situation on the Ground in Gaza City
The Israeli military has reported that its ground troops are active in the Shujaiya area, aiming to extend the security zone established within Gaza. Elena Helles, a resident trapped with her family, described the situation as “extremely dangerous,” indicating that they are facing threats from multiple directions.
Following an evacuation order issued by Israeli forces, many residents fled from the area. Footage from AFPTV highlighted this mass exodus, while the Palestinian civil defense agency reported that military operations led to a significant number of casualties, including a devastating strike in Khan Yunis that resulted in at least 25 fatalities.
Tragic Human Toll of the Conflict
Amidst the chaos, civilian casualties continue to rise. Ahmed al-Aqqad, whose family had a property destroyed in the bombings, expressed his fear that more bodies might be trapped under the rubble, inaccessible due to lack of rescue equipment. He, along with relatives, called for global intervention to halt the violence and prevent further bloodshed.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to bolster military presence in Gaza to dismantle what he described as terrorist infrastructures. He suggested that this operation would involve integrating substantial areas into Israeli security zones.
Netanyahu’s Strategy in Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the military’s objective is to partition Gaza and exert control to force Hamas into releasing Israeli hostages taken during the recent conflict. Currently, 58 of 251 individuals kidnapped during the October 2023 assault remain captive, raising fears about their safety as military operations intensify.
The armed wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, issued a warning on Friday, asserting that the ongoing offensive threatens the lives of the hostages, with many held in areas designated for evacuation by the Israeli military.
Civilian Casualties from Strikes
On Thursday, an Israeli strike targeted a school being utilized as a shelter for displaced individuals in Gaza City, leading to the reported deaths of at least 31, including children. Raghda al-Sharafa, a survivor, described the harrowing experience of the bombardment that left families searching for their loved ones in the dark.
The Israeli military, however, defended the strike, asserting that they were targeting prominent Hamas operatives located within the school, which they claimed served as a command and control center.
Personal Stories Amid Conflict
In Nuseirat, central Gaza, Ziad Abu Rialah expressed his deep fear of losing family members to the daily shelling, revealing the psychological toll the conflict has inflicted on civilians. Amid the destruction, humanitarian organizations are also becoming victims; Doctors Without Borders reported the death of one of its team members in an airstrike earlier this week, exemplifying the widespread consequences of the violence.
The medical charity condemned the attack and reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire and better protections for civilians caught in the crossfire.
Rising Death Toll in Gaza
The health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza reported that the death toll has risen sharply since Israel resumed extensive bombing last month, with 1,249 reported fatalities. This brings the overall casualty count since the conflict began to a staggering 50,609, with many civilians among the dead.
The initial assault on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, marked the beginning of this intense conflict, resulting in 1,218 deaths, primarily among civilians, according to reports compiled from official Israeli statistics.
Targeting of Hamas Leadership in Lebanon
In related developments, Hamas acknowledged the death of one of its commanders, Hassan Farhat, during an Israeli strike in Sidon, Lebanon. This attack also took the lives of his family members, intensifying outrage among supporters of the Palestinian group.
The Israeli military confirmed the strike, citing Farhat’s involvement in orchestrating attacks against Israeli targets, highlighting the ongoing regional tensions.
Lebanon’s Reaction to Israeli Actions
In response to the strikes, Lebanon condemned the infringement on its sovereignty and labeled it a breach of a truce established in November between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas. The situation has drawn international attention, with US officials, including Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus, in Lebanon discussing the ongoing crisis.
As these events unfold, the situation in both Gaza and Lebanon remains precarious, with humanitarian concerns escalating amid ongoing military actions.
