In the wake of a devastating surprise attack by Hamas, Israel has intensified preparations for a ground offensive in Gaza. The attack, which Israel has likened to the 9/11 tragedy in the United States, resulted in the loss of over 1,300 lives. In response, Israel initiated a significant retaliatory bombing campaign targeting Hamas, claiming the lives of more than 2,200 individuals in Gaza.
Israel has issued warnings to approximately 1.1 million Gazans residing in the northern region of the Palestinian territory, urging them to evacuate southward in anticipation of a ground incursion. The military’s focus is expected to center on Gaza City, the stronghold of Hamas’s leadership.
While the military has stressed the urgency of evacuation, a spokesperson noted that there is still some time for residents to leave before the ground offensive begins. Over the past few days, numerous Gazans, unable to depart due to the blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt, have been hastily packing their belongings, navigating the rubble-filled streets.
A procession of vehicles, including cars, trucks, three-wheeled vehicles, and donkey-drawn carts, has been observed moving southward, loaded with families, their possessions, bedding, and essential supplies. This mass exodus underscores the urgency of the situation.
Israel continued its airstrikes in northern Gaza on Saturday, generating massive plumes of smoke that darkened the sky. The military has reported the discovery of some of the hostages abducted by Hamas during their operations in Gaza. Hamas had previously disclosed that 22 hostages had fallen victim to Israeli bombardments.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the border front line further fueled expectations of an impending invasion. He emphasized the need for preparedness and stated, “More is coming.”
To prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from escalating into a broader regional conflict, the United States deployed a second aircraft carrier aimed at deterring hostile actions against Israel, according to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
Concerns are mounting over the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, an area already suffering from extreme population density. As the prospect of intense urban combat and house-to-house fighting looms, aid agencies have expressed apprehension about forcing Gazans to relocate.
Despite the ongoing conflict, food, water, fuel, and medical supplies are running dangerously low due to the Israeli blockade. This has prompted warnings of a deepening humanitarian crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned that evacuating thousands of hospital patients to already overcrowded facilities in southern Gaza could amount to a “death sentence.”
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh accused Israel of committing “war crimes” in Gaza but ruled out the displacement of Gazans, including to Egypt. Meanwhile, on the diplomatic front, efforts to broker a ceasefire and peace talks are underway, with Chinese and Saudi Arabian envoys engaged in the process.
US President Joe Biden has assured Israel and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas of the United States’ commitment to ensuring access to essential resources for innocent civilians caught in the conflict. However, international aid agencies and diplomats remain concerned about the feasibility of evacuation plans and the potential for a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
The conflict has already led to the displacement of more than 423,000 Palestinians and the destruction of 5,540 homes, according to the United Nations. Israel has launched numerous missile strikes on northern Gaza, targeting individuals involved in the Hamas attack.
Israel acknowledges its determination to dismantle Hamas, which it has likened to the Islamic State group. The focus, it claims, is not on ordinary Palestinians. Nevertheless, the situation remains dire, with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh denouncing Israel for “genocide” in Gaza and clashes in the occupied West Bank claiming the lives of 53 Palestinians in the past week.
Protests in support of Palestinians and against Israel have erupted in the Arab world, as well as in Western capitals. Israel also faces a potential confrontation on its northern border with Lebanon, where artillery exchanges with the Hezbollah group have occurred.
In this complex and escalating crisis, the safety of 150 hostages, including foreigners, remains a significant concern. Hamas has threatened to harm the hostages in retaliation for unannounced Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli army has made efforts to contact the families of the hostages and has called for the swift transfer of medicines to the captives.
