The Israeli military continued its offensive in central Gaza on Friday, targeting Hamas fighters at a former United Nations school converted into a shelter in the area. The military defended its actions, stating that Hamas operates from within civilian areas, violating international law and putting Gazan civilians at risk. The attacks on the U.N. complexes reflect Israel’s efforts to regain control of areas where Hamas had previously been suppressed. The number of casualties in the attacks remained disputed, with varying figures provided by Palestinian officials and the Israeli military.
Israel released the names of alleged militants killed in the attacks, bringing the total number to 17 so far. In a separate airstrike on Nuseirat City Hall, at least five people, including the mayor, were killed. The death tolls in all of these attacks could not be independently confirmed. With 36,000 people killed in Gaza during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the United Nations added Israel and Hamas to a global list of offenders for committing violations harmful to children.
Israeli troops also continued their offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, seizing much of the area bordering Egypt. American officials continued to press for a cease-fire, with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken scheduled to travel to Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Qatar to push for a deal. Since the fighting began, Hamas and other Palestinian militants in Gaza have used underground tunnels to fight a guerrilla war against Israeli forces. The military has returned to areas like Bureij in central Gaza to crack down on what they say is a renewed Hamas insurgency.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire, with a drop in the number of trucks carrying international aid despite an increase in commercial trucks. The U.S. military reattached a floating pier to the Gaza shore, which broke apart in stormy seas more than a week ago. This pier was intended to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian shipments to the hunger-stricken territory. The ongoing conflict has resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, and the situation continues to be volatile as both sides engage in offensive operations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel condemned the U.N. report that placed Israel on a list of offenders for violations harmful to children, stating that Israel’s military is the most moral army in the world. Despite the international criticism and calls for a cease-fire, the conflict between Israel and Hamas shows no signs of abating. Israeli forces are targeting militant fighters using various tactics, including airstrikes and ground operations. The continued fighting has led to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence and suffering from lack of basic necessities. The conflict underscores the deep-rooted tensions in the region and the challenges faced in achieving lasting peace.
