Israeli airstrikes in Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of at least 18 individuals, as reported by witnesses and medics. Furthermore, the United States has expressed its intention to veto any additional draft U.N. resolution calling for a cease-fire.
The United States, Israel’s strongest ally, is currently focused on facilitating a ceasefire and securing the release of hostages, with the broader aim of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his disagreement, dismissing Hamas’ demands as unrealistic and rejecting calls from the United States and the international community for a pathway to Palestinian statehood.
In response to the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the war, Israel’s Cabinet announced on Sunday that it firmly rejects international mandates on a long-term agreement with the Palestinians. Additionally, Israel opposes any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, as it believes it would reward terrorism.
Netanyahu is determined to persist with the offensive until Hamas is completely defeated and to extend it to Rafah, the southernmost town in Gaza. This town has become a haven for over half of the 2.3 million Palestinian population who have sought shelter from the ongoing conflict in other areas.
The head of the World Health Organization expressed concern over the state of Nasser Hospital, the primary medical center catering to southern Gaza, stating that it is no longer operational following the recent raid by Israeli forces in the city of Khan Younis.
During the night, an airstrike in Rafah tragically claimed the lives of six individuals, including a woman and three children. Additionally, another strike in Khan Younis resulted in the deaths of five men. Khan Younis has been the primary focus of the offensive for the past two months. Journalists from the Associated Press witnessed the bodies being brought to a hospital in Rafah.
In Gaza City, a family home was flattened by an airstrike, resulting in the tragic deaths of seven individuals, including three women. Sayed al-Afifi, a relative of the deceased, confirmed the devastating incident in an area that was already isolated, largely evacuated, and had experienced extensive destruction during the initial weeks of the war.
The Israeli military seldom provides details on specific strikes, and instead attributes civilian casualties to Hamas due to their presence in heavily populated residential areas.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director of the U.N. health agency, expressed his concerns about the situation at Nasser Hospital. He mentioned that a WHO team was denied access to the hospital on both Friday and Saturday. This prevented them from assessing the conditions of the patients and their critical medical needs, even though they had reached the hospital compound to deliver fuel with the help of their partners.
According to a post on X, previously known as Twitter, there are currently around 200 patients still admitted in the hospital, with 20 of them requiring immediate referrals to other medical facilities.
Israel has claimed that it has apprehended more than 100 individuals believed to be militants, with 20 of them allegedly involved in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th. However, no evidence has been provided to support this claim. The Israeli military has stated that its objective is to search for any remaining hostages within the facility and that it does not deliberately target doctors or patients.
The conflict began when Hamas breached Israel’s defenses and launched attacks on communities in southern Israel. This resulted in the loss of approximately 1,200 lives, predominantly civilians, and the capture of around 250 individuals as hostages. Currently, there are still around 130 hostages being held by militants, with a quarter of them suspected to have already lost their lives. The release of most of the other hostages took place during a one-week ceasefire in November.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the ongoing war has claimed the lives of at least 28,985 Palestinians, with a majority of the casualties being women and children. The ministry’s records do not differentiate between civilians and combatants. In the past 24 hours alone, hospitals have received 127 bodies, contributing to the devastating toll. As a result of the conflict, approximately 80% of Gaza’s population has been displaced from their homes, and a quarter of the population is now facing the threat of starvation.
According to David Satterfield, the U.S. Middle East envoy for humanitarian issues, the Israeli strikes on Hamas-run police who were providing security for aid convoys have resulted in the suspension of these escorts. As a result, delivering the much-needed aid has become “virtually impossible” due to the threat posed by criminal gangs. Satterfield also highlighted that Israel has not provided any specific evidence to support its allegations that Hamas is diverting U.N. aid.
Algeria, the representative of the Arab countries at the United Nations Security Council, has put forward a draft resolution that calls for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, and the condemnation of the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians.
In a statement issued late Saturday, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed her opposition to the draft resolution, stating that it goes against the United States’ own efforts to bring an end to the ongoing conflict. She emphasized that the resolution will not be adopted.
She emphasized the importance of other parties supporting and facilitating the success of this process. Instead of pushing measures that could jeopardize the opportunity for a long-lasting resolution of hostilities, it is crucial that they contribute to its positive outcome.
The United States has consistently exercised its veto power in the past when similar resolutions with broad international support were presented. Additionally, President Joe Biden has taken action to expedite the provision of arms to Israel, bypassing Congress in the process. However, he has also called on Israel to prioritize the protection of civilians and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Efforts to negotiate a cease-fire and secure the release of hostages in the conflict between Israel and Hamas have been ongoing for several weeks. However, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have encountered significant challenges in bridging the gap between the demands of both parties. Unfortunately, Qatar announced on Saturday that the talks have not been progressing as anticipated.
Hamas has made it clear that it will only release the remaining hostages if Israel ends the war and withdraws from Gaza. Additionally, Hamas is demanding the release of hundreds of Palestinians who are currently imprisoned by Israel, including key militants.
Netanyahu has openly dismissed both demands and any possibility of Hamas rebuilding its military and governing capacities. He mentioned that he fulfilled Biden’s request by sending a delegation for cease-fire negotiations in Cairo last week, but he doesn’t perceive the need to send them again.
During an interview with Israel’s Kan public broadcaster on Saturday, Netanyahu’s national security adviser emphasized the potential effectiveness of military pressure and maintaining a firm stance in negotiations. He suggested that these measures could potentially persuade Hamas to abandon their unreasonable demands that are unacceptable to all parties involved.
According to Tzachi Hanegbi, the U.S. is fully backing Israel’s efforts to dismantle Hamas’ capabilities and has not exerted any pressure on Israel to cease the ongoing conflict or withdraw its troops from Gaza.
Netanyahu has responded to international concerns regarding the Israeli ground offensive in Rafah by asserting that the residents will be relocated to safer areas. However, considering the extensive damage in Gaza, it remains uncertain where exactly they will be transferred to.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state, which the United States considers crucial in its efforts to bring about normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, as well as facilitating Arab investment in Gaza’s reconstruction and governance after the war.
