As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the world witnessed “the beginning of the end” of Hamas, dozens of militants have surrendered in recent days. This followed Israel’s intensified military efforts to crush Hamas and take down its leadership.
Netanyahu announced that the number of militants laying down their weapons and surrendering to Israeli forces is on the rise. In a video broadcast, he urged the Hamas terrorists to surrender, stating that “the war is in full swing.”
In response, Hamas issued a statement, accusing Israel of detaining unarmed civilians and surrounding them with weapons in an attempt to make it seem like the resolve of the militants was diminishing.
The U.N. Security Council recently vetoed a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in the conflict. However, Israel is facing increasing pressure from the global community as the Palestinian death toll continues to climb. The U.N. General Assembly has scheduled an emergency meeting to vote on a draft resolution similar to the one that was vetoed by the U.S.
Tzachi Hanegbi, the head of Israel’s National Security Council, stated that Palestinian detainees are stripped to their underwear when arrested for security concerns, a move that has drawn protests from Human Rights Watch and other advocacy groups.
Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that living conditions in Gaza are dire, with a shortage of food, water, fuel, and safe places. He cautioned that the public order could completely break down soon, leading to epidemic diseases and mass displacement into Egypt.
Hamas has called for a general strike in Gaza and encouraged workers worldwide to participate as a protest against Israel’s actions. Additionally, the Israeli military reported the elimination of Hamas battalion commander Emad Karika through a fighter jet attack.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking on Sunday news shows, defended the U.S. veto of a cease-fire resolution, arguing that an immediate cease-fire would “perpetuate the problem.” He urged Hamas to stop fighting and “get out of the way of civilians instead of hiding behind them.”
In other developments, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed unhappiness with Russia’s “anti-Israel” positions and held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the situation.
The World Health Organization adopted a resolution calling for the immediate passage of humanitarian relief and unimpeded access of medical personnel into Gaza. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of a cease-fire for health and peace.
Finally, the Gaza tragedy by the numbers indicate that over 90% of the 2 million Palestinians living in Gaza have fled their homes due to the Israeli bombardment. Moreover, UNRWA reported that nearly 1.2 million internally displaced Palestinians were sheltering in UN installations and over 130 aid workers have been killed since the war began. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that nearly 18,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children, have been killed, while over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have also died in the conflict.