By Ingy Ashraf,
Israeli forces increased air strikes in Gaza, despite Hamas’ proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release, despite the most serious peace initiative in the Israel-Hamas war.
World powers aim to prevent conflict, but Middle East tensions remain high due to Iran-aligned Houthis attacking US and British warships in the Red Sea, and tensions between Tehran and Washington after US soldier deaths in Jordan.
Gaza health authorities report 26,900 Palestinians killed, including 150 in 24 hours. Air strikes in Gaza City, Al-Nuseirat refugee camp, and Khan Younis have led to smoke rise.
Palestinian medics have established field medical points to assist in treating wounded in Khan Younis is difficult due to the deteriorating health system and increasing street battles and artillery strikes.
Nassim Hassan, the head of the Emergency Unit at Nasser Hospital stated “There’s a lot of injuries among the displaced who were in the industrial quarter and some schools,”he added, “many of the injured left loaded on carts, tuk-tuks, cars or even on foot.”
Most of the populated Gaza Strip has been devastated by nearly four months of Israeli bombardment, and the majority of its 2.3 million residents have been uprooted by warfare that international aid communities say has resulted in a humanitarian crisis.
UNRWA’s Director of Gaza Affairs, Thomas White, stated in a video that the agency had been compelled to relocate its operations from Khan Younis to the west of the city.
Thomas White said, “We’ve lost a health clinic, major shelters — facilities that were supporting the people of Khan Younis”. Israeli forces attacked Al-Amal hospital in Khan Younis, threatening to evacuate displaced people and staff at gunpoint, according to the Red Crescent.
A 75-year-old woman and 45-day-old girl died in Al-Amal hospital due to lack of oxygen, complicating the situation in Gaza due to Israeli allegations.
A senior Hamas official told Reuters the Gaza ceasefire proposal involved a three-stage truce, during which Hamas would release the remaining civilians among hostages captured on Oct. 7, then soldiers, and finally the bodies of dead hostages.
The proposal followed talks in Paris involving intelligence chiefs from Israel, the US and Egypt, with the prime minister of Qatar.
Palestinians welcomed the possibility of a ceasefire but said fighting must end permanently.
Ahmed, who fled his home in Gaza City for Rafah in the south, said by telephone “Any ceasefire that doesn’t end the war and return us to our homes in Gaza City and the north is not worth it,” he continued,“We are exhausted.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his pledge not to withdraw forces from Gaza until “total victory.”
Israel has declared that it will not stop attacking until Hamas is annihilated. Hamas claims it will release its remaining hostages only as part of a larger agreement to stop the fighting forever. The incident has sparked fears of an escalation in an already volatile region.
The United States and the United Kingdom have launched strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to the group’s attacks on Red Sea ships, but the Houthis’ military spokesperson warned on Wednesday that the organization will continue to engage in what it described as self-defense.
Through tensions high after Saturday’s drone attack on US service men in Jordan, the US claims it has chosen how to respond but does not specify how.
The Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah has announced that it will cease all military activities against US soldiers in the region, but Iran remains steadfast.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards leader Hossein Salami stated that no US threat will be neglected, while Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian stated, “The US has to stop its threats and focus on a political solution.”
