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The Israeli army’s offensive in the southern Gaza Strip has intensified, leaving a trail of destruction and raising concerns about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
The conflict, primarily between Israeli forces and the radical Palestinian movement Hamas, has prompted global condemnation and sparked a war of words on the international stage.
The Hamas-run health ministry claims that the death toll among Palestinians has surpassed a devastating 17,700.
This figure has drawn criticism from various quarters, with several countries, including North Korea, denouncing the United States’ recent veto of a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire.
Israel, however, has welcomed the US veto, asserting that it is making progress in dismantling Hamas.
The Israeli army reported the loss of five soldiers, four of whom died in fierce fighting in the southern Gaza Strip, while the fifth succumbed to injuries sustained earlier in October.
The conflict’s impact on civilians remains dire, with reports of yet another neighbourhood in the city of Khan Younis being evacuated by Israeli forces, hinting at an imminent offensive.
In central parts of the strip, Israeli tanks reportedly shelled the Bureij and Maghazi refugee camps, escalating concerns about the safety of vulnerable populations.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced significant gains, claiming the elimination of around seven thousand terrorists and the extraction of valuable intelligence from hundreds of seized computers.
Gallant asserted that numerous Hamas infrastructure sites in Gaza had been destroyed, signalling progress in their military objectives.
Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi echoed Gallant’s sentiments, stating, “I see achievements every day; many terrorists have been killed. In recent days, we also see terrorists surrendering, and this is a sign that their system is collapsing.”
Amidst the ongoing conflict, the deputy director of the UN’s World Food Program, Carl Skau, issued a dire warning.
He stated that half of Gaza’s population is facing starvation due to the protracted fighting, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian aid.
Skau emphasized that only a fraction of the necessary supplies have managed to enter the strip, and a second border crossing is imperative to alleviate the population’s suffering.
As the international community grapples with differing perspectives on the conflict, the immediate focus remains on addressing the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and finding a path toward lasting peace in the region.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members