Fighting intensified in South Gaza, America sent weapons to Israel; Death toll crosses 17,700
Heavy fighting has continued in the town of Khan Younis in southern Gaza since Saturday night. At the same time, the Israeli army is continuously facing heavy opposition in northern Gaza. Attacks in Gaza have escalated as the US blocks recent international efforts to stop the fighting. It has sent more war material to its close ally, after which Israel has intensified its campaign. Israel is facing increasing international anger and pressure for a ceasefire after the killing of thousands of Palestinian civilians and the displacement of about 85 percent of Gaza’s population.
America used veto power
However, the US has provided significant support to Israel’s campaign in recent times by using its ‘veto’ power in the UN Security Council on resolutions to end the fighting. It has sold arms worth more than $100 million to Israel. The US has expressed unwavering support for Israel’s goal of eliminating Hamas and avoiding a repeat of an attack like October 7. Israeli forces continue to face heavy opposition in northern Gaza where air strikes have destroyed all buildings. Earlier this month, Israeli forces entered Khan Yunis. Residents of Khan Yunis said they heard continuous gunfire and explosions throughout the night. He said warplanes bombed in and around Gaza’s second-largest city.
The number of people killed in Gaza due to the Israel-Hamas war has crossed 17,700. In this too, about two-thirds of the number are women and children. The Health Ministry gave this information in the Hamas controlled area. Israel intensified airstrikes and shelling in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday. Israel said that 97 of its soldiers were killed in ground operations following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. Hamas’ October 7 attack killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 240 hostage. Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have threatened to block every vessel sailing from the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea to Israeli ports unless the uninterrupted supply of food and medicines to Gaza is ensured. Houthi rebels have attacked several ships in the Red Sea in past weeks and launched drone and missile attacks targeting Israel.
Obstruction of humanitarian aid
Minor humanitarian aid is reaching a small part of Gaza. The International Rescue Committee and seven other aid agencies have called on the UN Security Council to pass a resolution ensuring an immediate ceasefire and the release of those held hostage by Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz discussed the ground offensive in southern Gaza on phone on Saturday. Scholz’s office gave this information. The statement said Scholz stressed that more humanitarian aid must reach people in the Gaza Strip and it must be on a credible basis.
