Title: Israeli Air Strikes and Ground Fighting Continue in Second Month of Conflict with Hamas
Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the north of Gaza flee their homes as Israeli air strikes and ground fighting with Hamas continue into the second month of the conflict. Israel has announced a four-hour window of opportunity for residents to evacuate the north encircled by its armed forces.
Palestinian health officials report multiple deaths from Israeli air strikes in the Nusseirat refugee camp and in Khan Younis. Witnesses describe the destruction of entire blocks of houses, with civilians, including children and the elderly, among the casualties.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military says it is making advances into the heart of Gaza City and has destroyed 130 tunnel shafts used by Hamas militants to stage ambushes. Hamas fighters continue to resist Israeli forces using the tunnels, leading to heavy casualties on both sides.
As the death toll among Palestinians rises, U.N. officials and G7 world powers are pressing for a humanitarian pause to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza. The U.N. Secretary-General emphasized the importance of this, stating that it is against Israel’s interests to see the terrible image of the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people.
Negotiations mediated by Qatar are aiming to secure the release of 10-15 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a one- to two-day humanitarian pause. Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinians continue to flee their homes in the encircled north of Gaza, seeking refuge in the south of the territory.
Israel has stated its intention to wipe out Hamas, but has not provided details about its long-term plans for Gaza. U.S. officials have cautioned against an Israeli reoccupation of the territory, while a senior Israeli official has stated that Israel has no intention of controlling Gaza for a long time.
The conflict, which began with a cross-border raid by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, shows no signs of abating as both sides continue to engage in intense fighting and air strikes. The continued violence has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with civilians enduring widespread destruction and shortages of basic supplies.