The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it has pulled back the majority of its ground troops from the Gaza Strip. This comes after a relentless offensive in the southern city of Khan Younis, leaving only one brigade remaining in the war-torn enclave. The withdrawal marks a significant milestone as it has been six months since the conflict began.
The Nahal Brigade, which consists of a small number of soldiers, has been given the responsibility of stopping Palestinians from reentering northern Gaza and carrying out targeted strikes throughout the region, as stated by the military. It remains uncertain how the withdrawal will affect the potential incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which has been looming for some time.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argues that the proposed attack on Rafah is necessary for the eradication of Hamas. On the other hand, President Joe Biden and the majority of the international community are calling on Israel to abandon the plan, as it poses a significant risk to the over 1 million Palestinian civilians who have sought refuge in Rafah after fleeing conflict in other parts of Gaza.
Israel launched its offensive in response to the heinous attack by Hamas on October 7th. The initial target was northern Gaza, which now lies in ruins. In more recent weeks, the attention has shifted to southern Gaza, with devastating consequences.
Over 250 hostages were taken and nearly 1,200 lives were lost in the attack on October 7, as reported by Israel. The health ministry in Gaza claims that the Israeli offensive has resulted in the deaths of over 33,100 Palestinians.
Developments:
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Egypt is making preparations to host another round of talks with the objective of achieving a cease-fire and securing the release of hostages. Both Israel and Hamas have expressed their willingness to attend these talks. According to reports from the Times of Israel, Hamas leaders confirmed that they met with an Egyptian official in Cairo on Sunday. During the meeting, they reiterated their stance that the release of hostages will only take place once Israel agrees to a permanent cease-fire and withdraws all its troops from Gaza.
Pope Francis is scheduled to meet with families of some of the hostages on Monday, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
During his weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of including the release of what Israel believes to be 133 hostages still being held in Gaza as a non-negotiable condition for any potential deal. He cited Hamas’ “extreme demands” as the primary obstacle hindering progress.
Gaza war puts interfaith bonds to the test in the US: Some individuals find ways to repair relationships
In a recent interview, Cindy McCain, director of the World Food Program, expressed concern about the current situation in Gaza. She emphasized the urgent need for greater access for aid workers, as she highlighted the devastating impact on children, stating that “children are dying as we speak” amidst the ongoing war.
During an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, McCain was asked about the potential impact of Israel’s approval of the opening of the Erez crossing on providing essential resources to Palestinians in Gaza. McCain recognized the significance of this move, describing it as “very important.” However, she emphasized the crucial need for humanitarian workers to have access to the area in order to effectively distribute these resources.
According to McCain, children are currently losing their lives or facing severe malnutrition and a lack of vital nutrients.
Thousands of Israelis came together on Sunday to bid farewell to Elad Katzir, one of the hostages who was taken by militants on October 7. According to the Israeli military, Katzir was tragically killed while in captivity, and their commandos were able to recover his body from Gaza on Saturday. It is worth noting that Katzir’s mother, Hana, was also abducted but fortunately released on November 24 as part of a cease-fire agreement. Tragically, Katzir’s father, Avraham, lost his life during the incident at their kibbutz. In a heartfelt Facebook post, Katzir’s sister, Carmit Palty Katzir, expressed her strong criticism towards the Israeli government.
In a heartfelt statement, she expressed her belief that if a deal had been reached in a timely manner, he could have been saved. She criticized the lack of political considerations and bravery within the leadership, attributing their inaction to the unfortunate outcome.
The British government’s unwavering support for Israel seems to be showing some signs of wavering. In a recent statement, Foreign Minister David Cameron emphasized that support for Israel is not unconditional and is dependent on Israel’s adherence to international humanitarian law. Writing in The Sunday Times, Cameron expressed concern over the recent Israeli airstrike that resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers, including three Britons. He warned that the lack of aid entering the territory could potentially lead to a severe risk of mass starvation.
“We do not provide backing without conditions,” Cameron stated. “We anticipate that a country as proud and successful as this democracy would adhere to international humanitarian law, even in the face of challenges.”
Chef and philanthropist José Andrés strongly condemns the Israeli attacks in Gaza, describing them as an ongoing “crime against humanity”. The recent airstrike that killed seven volunteers from his World Central Kitchen aid convoy has further intensified his outrage. Andrés emphasizes that this violence has been allowed to persist for far too long. It is worth noting that the aid workers were targeted while leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse. Prior to the attack, they had coordinated their movements with the Israeli military and were traveling in armored cars clearly marked with the World Central Kitchen logo.
With tears streaming down his face, Andrés expressed his deep anguish in an interview aired on ABC’s “This Week,” stating, “It no longer appears to be a conflict solely centered around protecting Israel. It feels like a war against the very essence of humanity itself.”
Israel has acknowledged that the attack was a serious error, stating that the Israel Defense Forces mistakenly identified a World Central Kitchen worker as a Hamas gunman. As a result, the Israeli military took action by dismissing two officers involved in the incident.
In his interview with ABC News, Andrés rejected Israel’s explanation, stating that it is not always necessary to bring Hamas into the equation every time something happens.
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Trust continues to be a pressing concern. In Houston, the Minaret Foundation, an organization focused on interfaith social justice and led by Ghani, made the decision to cancel their yearly Muslim-Jewish Christmas potluck. Likewise, the Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism also decided against holding the event. Additionally, the Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations withdrew their support for the city’s annual Ramadan dinner due to Mayor John Whitmire, the event’s keynote speaker, not advocating for a cease-fire in Gaza. Despite these setbacks, Ghani and Gross maintain a sense of optimism.
Ghani emphasized the possibility of overcoming our differences, stating, “We can overcome our differences. And people have to know that.”
Pregnant women in Gaza are enduring extreme hardships, including the threat of starvation, as a result of the ongoing conflict. The situation is particularly dire as there is a severe shortage of anesthesia, making it incredibly challenging for these women to receive the necessary medical care. This is just one of the many devastating consequences of the six-month-long war in Gaza.
According to the U.N., there are approximately 50,000 pregnant women residing in Gaza, with over 180 births occurring daily. Islamic Relief Worldwide, an aid organization, has described the challenges and humiliations faced by pregnant women in Gaza as reminiscent of a bygone era.
In addition to enduring constant bombardment, they are going through cesarean sections without any pain relief. They lack access to scans or checkups and have no safe means of transportation to hospitals or medical centers, most of which are now non-functional. Many are compelled to give birth in hospitals, tents, or even public restrooms, all while facing immense stress and hardship.
According to Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian doctor and politician residing in Ramallah, the living conditions of these individuals are extremely appalling. He emphasizes that they suffer from extreme cold, lack of protection during rainy weather, and a scarcity of essential vitamins necessary for the health of their infants.
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