DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) – Recent Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip have resulted in the death of at least 19 Palestinians, including women and children, as the military escalates its operations in the area. Among those killed was a Hamas political leader, highlighting the ongoing conflict's impact on leadership and civilians alike. Residents reported that Israeli tanks had advanced into Rafah, as the military urged the local population to evacuate.
The Israeli military directed evacuation orders for the heavily damaged Tel al-Sultan neighborhood, instructing residents to leave on foot towards Mawasi, a region filled with tent camps. The recent uptick in violence follows Israel's termination of a ceasefire with Hamas last week, which had been a response to earlier hostilities that resulted in hundreds of Palestinian deaths.
In a controversial move, Israel's Cabinet has approved the creation of a new directorate aimed at facilitating the "voluntary departure" of Palestinians. This initiative aligns with a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump to depopulate Gaza and rebuild the region for others. However, Palestinians have expressed their determination to remain in their homeland, while human rights organizations warn that such plans may constitute a violation of international law and could lead to expulsions.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the new body would operate under both Israeli and international law and would manage the logistics of relocating Palestinians by land, sea, and air. Amidst the chaos, residents in Rafah were seen fleeing with their belongings, indicating a growing humanitarian crisis. "It’s displacement under fire," reported local journalist Mustafa Gaber, who fled Tel al-Sultan with his family amidst ongoing military operations.
Casualties from the strikes were reported by two hospitals in the region, which received 17 bodies, including several women and children. The fatalities did not account for the Hamas official who was also killed. In one instance, the European Hospital noted the loss of a family consisting of five children captured in a bombardment in Khan Younis, while another family of four died in a separate strike in Rafah. The Palestinian Red Crescent stated that their ambulances faced restrictions from Israeli forces, hindering emergency medical response efforts.
In a related incident, Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a missile towards Israel, prompting air raid sirens. The Israeli military successfully intercepted the projectile, with no reported casualties or damage resulting from this act perceived as solidarity with Palestinians.
The recent escalation comes as the ceasefire established in January of this year quickly deteriorates. That ceasefire had interceded after 15 months of intense fighting initiated by Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This earlier truce had allowed for negotiations regarding hostages and conditions for peace, but those discussions faltered after Israel withdrew from the agreement due to Hamas’ refusal to comply with terms set by Israeli and American officials concerning hostages.
Since the peak of this conflict, approximately 1,200 individuals in Israel were killed in the October attack, and 251 were taken hostage. Concurrently, Israeli military operations have reportedly killed at least 49,747 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, indicating the conflict's severe toll on civilian life. The Israeli government claims that around 20,000 militants have been eliminated, though they have not substantiated these figures with evidence.
The ongoing offensive has led to extensive destruction across Gaza, with around 90% of the population displaced. As a result, Israel has restricted access to essential supplies, including food and medicine, in an effort to pressure Hamas to renegotiate ceasefire terms.
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