Title: Israel Faces Mounting Pressure to Cease Gaza Bombing as Death Count Rises
Israel is facing increased pressure to cease bombing in Gaza as the death count rises, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling for a ceasefire. Macron stated that there is “no justification” for the bombing of civilians and that the deaths are causing “resentment” during an interview with the BBC.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has ruled out a ceasefire, stating that “a ceasefire with Hamas means surrender.” Netanyahu insisted that the responsibility for any harm to civilians lies with Hamas and not with Israel. He also emphasized that Israel does not plan to reoccupy the Palestinian territory, but seeks to give it a better future, seeking for the impoverished and blockaded territory to be “demilitarized, deradicalized, and rebuilt.”
The war in the densely populated coastal territory, which is effectively sealed off, has prompted repeated calls for a ceasefire to protect civilian lives and allow in more humanitarian aid. Heavy fighting between Hamas and Israeli forces has occurred near Gaza’s biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, causing concern for the safety of patients and medical staff. The Gazan health system was described as being “on its knees” by the head of the World Health Organization.
The conflict has also stoked regional tensions, with cross-border exchanges between the Israeli army and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as well as Yemen’s Iran-backed Huthi rebels claiming to have launched “ballistic missiles” at southern Israel.
Fighting has raged in Gaza for over a month following Hamas’ shock October 7 attack, with the retaliatory aerial bombing and ground offensive resulting in the deaths of more than 10,800 people in Gaza, mostly civilians and many of them children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
As the situation in Gaza continues to escalate, the international community is urging Israel to take measures to protect civilian lives and work towards a ceasefire.