Intense conflict is unfolding in the southern Gaza Strip, particularly in the city of Khan Younis, where Israeli tanks have reached. In a statement on Sunday, Hamas issued fresh demands for the release of Palestinian prisoners, threatening the lives of the hostages held. The group stated that none of the hostages would leave Gaza alive unless Israel met their demands.
According to a Guardian report, Prime Minister Netanyahu informed US President Joe Biden that the operation in Khan Younis would take between three and four weeks to complete.
While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that dozens of Hamas fighters had surrendered, declaring it as the beginning of the end for the organization, Hamas denied this, labeling the assertion as “false and baseless.”
The situation is dire, prompting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to express concern about the collapse of public order in Gaza. The UN General Assembly is expected to vote on a similar resolution demanding a ceasefire.
Despite this, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken rejected a ceasefire, citing the continued threat from Hamas and urging Israel to prioritize civilian protection in military operations.
The Biden administration is currently under scrutiny for supplying tank shells to Israel without continually assessing whether Israel might be committing possible war crimes.
While the international community, including aid organizations, is alarmed by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israel remains obsessed with eliminating Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007. The World Health Organization has warned that Gaza’s health system is collapsing, emphasizing the need for immediate, unimpeded aid deliveries. Medical needs have surged, and the health system’s capacity has been reduced to a third of its pre-conflict state.
