Israel has increased its airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, resulting in residential buildings being destroyed and families being crushed. Witnesses reported that airstrikes have killed dozens of people in leveled homes.
The escalating death toll indicates that there will be even greater loss of life in the coming days in Gaza. Israeli forces are expected to launch a ground invasion in an attempt to destroy Hamas. Fuel shortages and the ongoing bombardment have forced the closure of medical facilities in Gaza.
There are concerns that the fighting could lead to a wider regional conflict, and officials from the United States and other countries have expressed their fears.
This war, now in its 19th day, is the deadliest of the five Gaza wars for both sides. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, at least 5,791 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 704 in the past day, and 16,297 have been wounded. In the occupied West Bank, 96 Palestinians have been killed and 1,650 have been wounded in the violence and Israeli raids since October 7.
The death toll figures provided by Hamas, which says it gathers information from hospital directors, could not be independently verified by The Associated Press.
In addition, more than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, mostly civilians who died in the initial Hamas attacks, according to Israeli officials. There are also 222 people, including foreigners, who were captured by Hamas during the incursion and taken into Gaza. Four of them have been released.
Currently:
Here’s what’s happening in the latest Israel-Hamas war:
DAMASCUS – Israeli airstrikes hit a number of military sites in southern Syria, killing eight soldiers and injuring seven others, according to Syrian state media.
CANBERRA, Australia – Australia has sent two additional air force transport jets to the Middle East in case its citizens need to be evacuated if hostilities escalate.
NEW YORK – Credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s has changed its outlook on Israel’s credit rating to “negative” from “stable” due to the ongoing war and the potential for a broader regional conflict.
OTTAWA, Ontario – Canada’s government does not believe that Hamas would respect a cease-fire in its conflict with Israel.
UNITED NATIONS – Israel is rejecting calls for a cease-fire from the U.N. chief, the Palestinians, and many countries, vowing to destroy Hamas and considering the war in Gaza to be “the war of the free world.”
JERUSALEM – French President Emmanuel Macron visited Israel to express support for the country amid its war against Hamas, stating that Israel is “not left alone in the war against terrorism.”
MARSEILLE, France – Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faith leaders held hands and called for peace in the Middle East at a gathering organized by fans of the Olympique de Marseille soccer team.
WASHINGTON – The New Jersey Air National Guard’s 119 Expeditionary Fighter Squadron has arrived in the Middle East with F-16 fighter jets.
BEIRUT – A top Hamas official has called the killings in Gaza unprecedented, stating that Israel is carrying out “brutal and savage acts against people.”
CAIRO – The World Health Organization has called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza to be able to distribute fuel and essential health supplies, as major hospitals in the northern half of the strip are waiting for these resources.
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip – Despite the intense bombing in Gaza, there have been some moments of hope. One example is Navine Abu Owdah, who was badly injured in an airstrike but delivered a healthy baby girl after receiving emergency medical care.
Unique Perspective:
As the conflict in Gaza intensifies, it is clear that both sides are experiencing devastating losses. The airstrikes by Israel have resulted in the destruction of residential buildings and the loss of innocent lives, while Hamas continues its attacks, causing civilian casualties in Israel. The escalating death toll and increased fears of a wider regional conflict are deeply concerning.
It is essential for all parties involved to prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians. Efforts should be made to establish a humanitarian cease-fire to allow for the distribution of essential supplies and the evacuation of those in need. The international community must push for a peaceful resolution to this crisis and work towards a lasting peace in the region.
