In the early hours of Sunday, Israel heightened its airstrike campaign against the Gaza Strip, signaling preparations for a potential ground invasion following two weeks of conflict initiated by a severe attack from Hamas, the Palestinian militant group.
The United States, responding to the intensifying violence, has boosted its military presence in the region to prevent further escalation. This move comes amidst growing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, raising concerns about a broader conflict.
According to Hamas-run government reports, the overnight Israeli bombardments resulted in at least 80 casualties in Gaza. The strikes were particularly focused on Rafah city near the Egypt border, with smoke plumes visible over northern Gaza, as per AFP journalists.
General Daniel Hagari of the Israeli army had warned on Saturday about escalating operations in Gaza to minimize risks to Israeli forces in subsequent phases of the conflict. Meanwhile, in northern Israel, the frequency of cross-border skirmishes with Hezbollah, the pro-Iranian militia and ally of Hamas based in southern Lebanon, has noticeably increased, prompting civilian evacuations.
Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesperson, cautioned that Hezbollah’s actions could draw Lebanon into a disadvantageous conflict. Since Hamas’s assault on October 7, Israel has vowed to obliterate the group, designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., the EU, and Israel itself.
General Herzi Halevi, the Israeli Chief of Staff, expressed determination to enter Gaza for operational purposes, focusing on demolishing Hamas’s infrastructure and combatants, emphasizing professionalism in their approach.
The toll from the ongoing violence is harrowing, with over 1,400 individuals killed in Israel by Hamas since October 7, mostly civilians, as stated by Israeli authorities. Conversely, in Gaza, relentless Israeli retaliatory bombardments have reportedly claimed at least 4,385 lives, mostly civilians, according to Hamas’s Health Ministry.
Preparing for a potential ground operation, the Israeli military has amassed thousands of troops around Gaza, home to 2.4 million Palestinians. Such an operation poses significant challenges due to the region’s dense population, the lethal booby traps, tunnels, and the seasoned Hamas fighters holding over 200 Israeli or foreign hostages.
Amidst these developments, communities near the Gaza border, like the kibbutz of Beeri where Hamas commandos killed at least 100 people on October 7, brace for further unrest and mourning. The conflict’s impact has reverberated deeply among the residents, stirring feelings of uncertainty and a fervent hope for assurances against future attacks.
According to military sources, around 1,500 Hamas combatants have been neutralized as Israel regained control over assaulted areas. Israel has also urged civilians in northern Gaza to evacuate southwards, though airstrikes persist throughout the region, with nine reported fatalities in Khan Younis overnight.
The UN highlights the dire humanitarian crisis, with approximately 1.4 million Palestinians displaced and conditions in the territory described as “catastrophic.” The organization warned of soaring mortality rates due to disease outbreaks and inadequate healthcare resources.
Further exacerbating the crisis, Israel, which has imposed a land, air, and sea blockade on Gaza since Hamas’s takeover in 2007, initiated a complete siege on October 9, cutting off water, electricity, and food supplies. Only a limited amount of humanitarian aid entered from Egypt through the Rafah border crossing before its closure.
Amidst the “escalations by Iran and its affiliated forces,” U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the deployment of several anti-missile defense systems throughout the region and readied additional military assets. These measures aim to bolster regional deterrence, protect U.S. forces, and support Israel’s defense, Austin noted.
Following the October 7 outbreak, the U.S. had already dispatched two aircraft carriers and accompanying vessels to the eastern Mediterranean to safeguard Israel. Additionally, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported 90 fatalities in the occupied West Bank due to actions by the Israeli military or settlers.
Sunday’s Israeli airstrikes also disabled Syria’s two main airports in Damascus and Aleppo, state media reported, quoting military sources, marking a significant expansion in the conflict’s geography.
