Title: Gaza Death Toll Surpasses 5,000 as Former U.S. President Urges Caution
Subtitle: Israel’s military prepares for “unrelenting attacks” while Barack Obama warns against ignoring human costs
Gaza/Jerusalem, October 24, 2023 – The Palestinian health ministry has announced that the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 5,000 amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas. Former U.S. President Barack Obama has issued a warning, urging Israel to consider the human costs of their military strategy, suggesting that it could backfire in the long run.
Israel has launched a series of airstrikes over the past two weeks in response to an attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7. In their assault, Hamas killed over 1,400 people. As Israeli soldiers continue to fight Hamas militants during raids into Gaza, the civilian population remains trapped in harrowing conditions.
On Monday, Israel conducted numerous airstrikes targeting hundreds of locations in Gaza. Simultaneously, its soldiers engaged in ground operations against Hamas militants. Two Israeli women, who were among the more than 200 hostages taken during the October 7 assault, were freed by Hamas, marking the third and fourth hostage releases.
Israel’s Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi emphasized that the country had no plans to reduce its strikes on the densely populated Gaza Strip. He hinted at Israel’s preparedness for a ground assault, stating, “We want to bring Hamas to a state of full dismantling…The path is a path of unrelenting attacks, damaging Hamas everywhere and in every way. We are well prepared for the ground operations in the south.”
While publicly supporting Israel’s right to defend itself, the United States has privately appealed for caution. The White House, Pentagon, and State Department have been in discussions with Israeli officials, emphasizing the need for negotiations to secure the release of other hostages. U.S. President Joe Biden also stressed the importance of hostage releases before considering a ceasefire.
In an unprecedented move, former President Barack Obama issued a statement expressing concern over the high number of civilian casualties resulting from the Israeli airstrikes. He warned against disregarding the human costs, as it could alienate generations of Palestinians and cause long-term damage to Israel’s position. Obama highlighted the thousands of Palestinians, including many children, who have been killed or displaced as a result of the bombings.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to attend a U.N. Security Council meeting on the Middle East to discuss the ongoing crisis. However, it remains uncertain what action, if any, might be taken by the Council, as the five veto-wielding powers seem divided on the issue.
China and Russia have utilized Israel’s bombardment of Gaza to showcase themselves as champions of the developing world, contrasting with the United States’ strong support for Israel. The calls for a “humanitarian pause” in hostilities to allow aid to reach the Gaza Strip have gained momentum among European leaders, following similar appeals by the United Nations and Arab nations. A convoy of humanitarian aid trucks delivered essential supplies on Monday; however, fuel reserves are expected to run out within two days.
As the death toll continues to rise and the Gaza Strip faces a severe humanitarian crisis, urgent efforts are underway to address the escalating situation. The international community is hoping for a resolution that ensures the safety and well-being of all those affected by the conflict in the region.