The Israeli military has expanded
its ground operations in Gaza, continuing its bombardment for a third
consecutive day. This surge in violence has resulted in the deaths of at least
91 people, including a newborn, as Hamas fires rockets in retaliation.
Three days into a relentless wave of
bombardments, the Israeli army has escalated its military operations in Gaza,
particularly in the southern city of Rafah. The assault has seen continuous
airstrikes and artillery fire, while Hamas responded with rocket fire towards
Israel following the collapse of a brief ceasefire earlier in the week.
The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed
that the latest attacks have claimed the lives of at least 91 people, including
women, children, and a newborn baby. The toll includes dozens of wounded
individuals across both northern and southern regions of Gaza. One of the most
devastating attacks occurred in the city of Khan Younis, where Israeli
airstrikes reportedly destroyed multiple residential buildings, killing at least
20 people.
Meanwhile, in northern Gaza, an
Israeli attack on a family home in the as-Sultan neighborhood led to the deaths
of seven civilians, marking another tragic incident in the escalating conflict.
Hamas Retaliates with Rocket Fire
In retaliation to the increasing
attacks on civilians, Hamas announced that it had launched a series of rockets
targeting Tel Aviv, Israel’s economic hub. According to the group, these
attacks were a direct response to what they described as “massacres against
civilians” in Gaza.
This rocket fire marks Hamas's first
major offensive since the fragile ceasefire was broken earlier in the week.
While Israel's military defense systems intercepted one rocket, the others
landed in unpopulated areas without causing further casualties.
Later that same day, Israel expanded
its ground operations in Rafah, conducting military activities in the Shaboura
area. Simultaneously, Israeli troops continued their ground maneuvers across
northern and central Gaza, claiming to have dismantled several “terrorist
infrastructures.”
The recent Israeli offensive has left at least 591 people dead, with over 200 children among the casualties. The Gaza Health Ministry has also reported more than 1,000 injuries, while many people remain trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings
The Israeli army has also regained
control of the strategically important Netzarim Corridor, effectively cutting
off northern Gaza from the rest of the region. This move significantly
restricts the movement of civilians, who are now forced to travel through a
single designated route along the coast if they wish to flee the conflict zone.
Palestinians who used to cross the corridor during the ceasefire are now facing immense challenges in accessing safer areas
Growing Protests Against Israeli
Leadership
The renewed violence has also
sparked protests within Israel, where thousands of demonstrators gathered in
Jerusalem to express their discontent with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's
handling of the conflict. Many protestors are concerned for the safety of
Israeli captives still held by Hamas in Gaza, accusing Netanyahu of
prioritizing military operations over the lives of the hostages.
Hamas spokesperson Abdul Latif al-Qanou has reiterated the group's commitment to the original ceasefire agreement, signed earlier this year, and has called on mediators to pressure Israel into halting its renewed military offensive.
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