Israeli airstrikes in Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least 18 individuals, as reported by medics and witnesses. Concurrently, the United States announced its intention to veto another draft U.N. cease-fire resolution.
In lieu of the resolution, the U.S., Israel’s primary ally, aims to facilitate a cease-fire agreement and hostage release between Israel and Hamas, envisioning a broader resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Hamas’ demands as “delusional” and rebuffed international calls for a pathway to Palestinian statehood.
Israel’s Cabinet declared its rejection of international mandates on a permanent arrangement with the Palestinians and opposed any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, considering it a reward for terrorism following an attack on October 7 that ignited the conflict.
Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by numerous countries, including the United States, Israel, the European Union, and others. (Credits: PBS)
Netanyahu pledged to continue the offensive until achieving “total victory” over Hamas, proposing an expansion of operations to Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost town, where a significant portion of the enclave’s population has sought refuge.
Despite international concerns, Netanyahu assured that residents would be evacuated to safer areas, although the destination for these displaced individuals within the devastated Gaza remains uncertain.
Overnight airstrikes in Rafah and Khan Younis resulted in casualties, with reports of six people, including women and children, killed in Rafah and five men killed in Khan Younis. The Israeli military often attributes civilian casualties to Hamas, citing the group’s presence in densely populated residential areas.
Meanwhile, in Gaza City, airstrikes targeted residential areas, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, including three women. Israel’s military rarely comments on specific strikes but often blames civilian casualties on Hamas due to its operations in residential zones.
In the occupied West Bank, a shootout occurred during an Israeli military operation in Tulkarem, resulting in the death of a suspected senior militant and two Palestinians, as well as severe injuries to an Israeli Border Police member.
The head of the World Health Organization reported that Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, crucial for medical services, was rendered non-functional following an Israeli raid. Efforts to assess patients and medical needs were impeded, with around 200 patients, including those requiring urgent referrals, stranded.
The Gaza Health Ministry accused Israeli forces of arresting medical personnel and patients from Nasser Hospital, alleging mistreatment and abuse. The ongoing conflict has claimed thousands of lives in Gaza, predominantly civilians, with a significant displacement of the population and severe humanitarian crises, including food shortages.
