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Over 25,000 individuals have lost their lives in the Gaza Strip due to Israel’s ongoing attack, as the situation in the area intensifies following an airstrike that resulted in the death of an Iranian intelligence leader in Syria.
The Gaza Health Ministry announced the number as the Israel-Hamas conflict reached its 106th day, with no indication of a swift resolution.
The conflict has the potential to escalate and involve Iran-supported organizations in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen that are aligned with the Palestinian cause.
In recent weeks, the relationship between Israel and Iran has deteriorated even more due to reported Israeli airstrikes in Syria and Lebanon that have targeted senior Iranian and allied figures. This escalation reached a new level on Saturday when the deputy of the intelligence department of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force was killed in Damascus.
The US Central Command reports that Iranian president Ibrahim Raisi has promised retaliation for the assault, which was accompanied by the launch of missiles at American troops stationed in Iraq by militants supported by Iran.
A temporary settlement for uprooted Palestinians located by the Egypt border.
Hezbollah forces are engaged in frequent confrontations with Israeli soldiers along the border of Lebanon, resulting in daily clashes.
According to reports from Lebanese state media, a car was targeted by an Israeli airstrike near a Lebanese army checkpoint in the southern town of Kafra on Sunday. The attack resulted in the death of at least one person and multiple injuries, although the identities of those affected have not yet been confirmed.
The US has offered crucial diplomatic and military assistance for Israel’s attack, but has been largely unsuccessful in convincing Israel to prioritize civilian safety and increase the flow of humanitarian aid.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has refused to heed the requests of the US and other countries for post-war strategies that would lead to the creation of a Palestinian state.
Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, stated that rejecting the idea of a two-state solution is completely unacceptable. During his speech on Sunday, he emphasized the volatile nature of the Middle East and stressed the importance of preventing any conflicts from erupting in the region.
“We must begin with an urgent ceasefire to alleviate the suffering in Gaza.”
The conflict started when Hamas launched a sudden assault on Israel on October 7th. This resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, primarily innocent civilians, and the capture of about 250 hostages by Palestinian extremists.
Israel retaliated by launching a series of airstrikes lasting three weeks, followed by a ground operation in northern Gaza that resulted in the destruction of entire neighborhoods.
Fighting persisted on Sunday between Hamas fighters and the Israeli Defense Forces in the northern region of Gaza.
The Health Ministry of Gaza reported on Sunday that 25,105 individuals in the region have lost their lives since 7 October, with an additional 62,681 sustaining injuries. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and fighters in their count of fatalities, but notes that approximately two-thirds of the deceased were women and children.
According to Ashraf al-Qidra, a spokesperson for the ministry, the total number of casualties in Gaza hospitals has reached 178 since Saturday. Additionally, another 300 individuals were reported to be injured in the last 24 hours.
The current Israeli military actions are targeted towards Khan Younis, a city in the southern region, and refugee camps in central Gaza that were established during the 1948 war surrounding the formation of Israel.
“The Gaza Strip will remain shrouded in smoke from tanks, artillery, and air force planes until our goals are accomplished,” stated Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
Israel is still conducting airstrikes in the besieged region, targeting areas in the southern part and advising civilians to find shelter. However, numerous Palestinians have chosen to disregard the evacuation orders, as they do not feel secure in any location.
According to United Nations representatives, 25% of Gaza’s total population of 2.3 million is currently experiencing starvation due to limited humanitarian aid entering the region as a result of ongoing conflicts and Israeli limitations.
Netanyahu has made a promise to continue the attack until Israel achieves “total triumph” against Hamas and releases all remaining captives.
It is believed that Hamas is holding hostages in tunnels and using them as human shields for their top leaders. Israel has only been able to rescue one hostage, while Hamas claims that multiple have been killed in Israeli air strikes or during unsuccessful rescue attempts.
Last week, Gadi Eisenkot, a member of Israel’s war cabinet and former army chief, stated that the only solution to release the hostages is through a ceasefire. He also indirectly criticized Mr. Netanyahu, stating that any claims to the contrary are merely “illusions”.
However, Mr Netanyahu’s extreme right-wing coalition allies pressure him to increase the attack, with some advocating for the “voluntary” relocation of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from Gaza and the resettlement of Jewish communities in the area.
Hamas has declared that they will not release any additional hostages until Israel ceases its offensive. The organization is likely to require the release of thousands of imprisoned Palestinians, including prominent militants responsible for attacks resulting in Israeli casualties, before making any further releases.
Currently, the Israeli government has rejected the idea, but it is facing increasing demands from the families of the hostages. These families are advocating for a trade similar to the one that occurred during a ceasefire in November that lasted for a week.
Source: independent.co.uk
