In the midst of relentless Israeli airstrikes devastating the Gaza Strip, the United States is in discussions with Israel and Egypt to establish a vital humanitarian corridor. The Israeli offensive launched by Hamas, the deadliest in its history, has tragically claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis.
Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, made a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing the ongoing deliberations regarding a safe passage for Gaza’s civilian population. “We are focused on this question, there are consultations going on. But the details of that are something that are being discussed among the operational agencies, and I don’t want to share too much of that publicly at this time.”
Humanitarian organizations have fervently called for the creation of secure corridors to enable the delivery of much-needed aid into Gaza. Hospitals, overwhelmed by the sheer number of wounded individuals, are on the brink of running out of essential medical supplies. Adding to the dire situation, Israel has halted the entry of food, fuel, and medicines into Gaza, with the sole access point from Egypt, at Rafah, being closed down due to airstrikes near the border crossing.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented a disturbing 11 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza within the first 36 hours of this conflict. WHO urgently appealed for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to ensure unhindered access for life-saving patient referrals, the movement of humanitarian personnel, and the delivery of vital health supplies.
The surprise attack launched by Hamas on a Jewish holiday marked a grim turning point. Gunmen infiltrated Israeli cities from the Gaza Strip, resulting in casualties among civilians, hostages taken, and an unsettling atmosphere. There are reports of approximately 150 hostages believed to be in the hands of the militants.
As expectations mount regarding an impending Israeli ground invasion of Gaza, the Israeli air force has continued its relentless barrage, targeting over 70 locations with dozens of fighter jets in a bid to cripple Hamas’s military capabilities. Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), confirmed that 300,000 reservists have been mobilized close to Gaza with the mission to ensure the incapacitation of Hamas’s military capabilities, preventing threats to Israeli civilians.
In Gaza, where neighborhoods are being evacuated prior to intense bombardment, there is an overarching sense of insecurity. No area appears to be safe. Journalists in Gaza report on the alarming deterioration of the situation, with three Palestinian journalists having lost their lives in the Rimal neighborhood bombardment.
Sporadic clashes continue in southern Israel, with militants entering an industrial zone in Ashkelon, sparking a gunbattle with Israeli forces. The situation remains precarious, with three militants killed, and further searches underway.
The Palestinian casualties from Israeli airstrikes have reached a staggering figure, with at least 900 lives lost and up to 4,600 individuals wounded. Over a quarter of a million people have been compelled to flee their homes in the Gaza Strip, according to the UN humanitarian agency OCHA, with the warning that this number is expected to rise further.
The Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million people, remains trapped in an escalating crisis. Meanwhile, Israel has reported an increasing death toll of 1,200, with over 2,700 individuals wounded in the unprecedented attack since Saturday.
An alarming development is the captivity of approximately 150 individuals by militants in Gaza. Hamas has ominously threatened to execute hostages if Israel proceeds with airstrikes on civilians without prior warning.
In a disconcerting turn of events, exchanges of fire have emerged on Israel’s northern borders with militants in Lebanon and Syria, highlighting the potential risk of an expanded regional conflict. Israel’s military responded to mortar fire from the Golan Heights with artillery fire, a region captured from Syria in the 1967 six-day war. This exchange marks the first of its kind since Hamas initiated its attack on Saturday.
On Tuesday night, President Joe Biden strongly condemned the actions of Hamas, comparing them to the atrocities perpetrated by ISIS. He pledged unwavering support for Israel and noted that at least 14 Americans had lost their lives in the onslaught, with an unspecified number of U.S. citizens among those currently held hostage.
The U.S. State Department announced that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will soon travel to Israel to convey a message of solidarity and support. The situation in the region remains highly volatile, with mounting concerns about its broader implications.
