In a distressing turn of events, more than 150,000 Palestinians are fleeing central Gaza as Israeli troops advance on refugee camps, with tanks reaching the eastern outskirts of Bureij camp. The ground offensive now targets Bureij, Nuseirat, and Maghazi camps, leading to widespread displacement and casualties.
Egypt’s Proposal for Ceasefire
Amid the escalating conflict, Egypt has proposed a three-stage plan to halt the fighting, ultimately leading to a ceasefire. A delegation from Hamas is currently in Cairo to discuss the proposed plan in hopes of finding a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.
Trigger and Retaliation
The Israel-Hamas war originated from a cross-border attack by Hamas gunmen on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, with 240 individuals taken hostage. Israel’s response has led to over 21,300 casualties in Gaza, predominantly among children and women, over 11 weeks of fighting.
Israeli Military’s Evacuation Call
In the latest development, the Israeli military is urging the evacuation of a central Gaza strip, including Bureij and Nuseirat camps, affecting nearly 90,000 residents and 61,000 displaced people. The directive is for them to move southwards to the town of Deir Al-Balah. However, concerns arise as Deir Al-Balah is already overcrowded with several hundred thousand displaced people.
Escalating Casualties and Destruction
Tragically, recent incidents include an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, claiming about 20 lives in a building housing displaced civilians. Further casualties occurred in Maghazi, Beit Lahia, and Khan Younis, with a particularly devastating incident in Beit Lahia where a block of four residential buildings was destroyed, resulting in 30 deaths.
Statements from IDF and Hamas
Israel Defense Forces chief spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari asserts that Bureij is a main Hamas terror center, and Israeli troops are engaged in eliminating terrorists and destroying their infrastructure. The IDF expresses regret for civilian harm caused by airstrikes.
In contrast, Hamas released a video showcasing its fighters targeting Israeli soldiers and vehicles, underscoring the intensifying conflict.
Protests in Israel and UN Human Rights Concerns
Back in Israel, thousands of teenagers marched, demanding a new deal for the return of hostages held by Hamas since the October 7 attacks. Meanwhile, UN human rights chief Volker Turk urged Israel to cease “unlawful” killings in the West Bank, citing the verified killing of 300 Palestinians by Israeli forces and settlers since October 7, 2023.
The situation remains highly volatile, with the international community closely monitoring developments in the Israel-Hamas conflict. For future updates, follow “Israel-Hamas War.”