In a significant escalation of the conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas, Israeli troops executed their most extensive ground operation in Gaza overnight. This move comes amidst mounting global concern over Israel's sustained aerial assault on the besieged Palestinian territory.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that preparations for a full-scale ground invasion were underway, a statement met with apprehension from the US and other nations, fearing it could inflame tensions across the Middle East.
The United Nations agency responsible for providing aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza has issued a distressing warning, stating that without a supply of fuel reaching the Hamas-governed region, their operations may soon be forced to halt. This comes at a critical juncture when shelter, water, food, and medical services are urgently needed.
The conflict originated with the Hamas attack on Israeli communities on October 7th. Israel contends that Hamas is responsible for the deaths of approximately 1,400 individuals, including children, and the capture of over 200 hostages, some of whom are infants and elderly individuals.
Gaza's health ministry reported on Thursday that the retaliatory airstrikes have claimed the lives of 7,028 Palestinians, including 2,913 children.
While acknowledging a significant loss of life in Gaza, the US State Department clarified that it does not possess independent verification of casualty figures and does not rely on numbers provided by Hamas. Likewise, the Israeli military has cast doubt on Hamas' figures but has refrained from presenting its own assessment. Gaza's health ministry spokesman, Ashraf al-Qidra, contested statements challenging their reported figures.
On Thursday, the ministry released a document listing the names and corresponding ID numbers of identified victims.
According to Israeli army radio, the military conducted its most substantial incursion into northern Gaza during the current conflict. Armored vehicles crossed the fortified border, demolishing structures, as shown in military footage.
The statement from the military reads, "Tanks and infantry targeted numerous terrorist cells, infrastructure, and anti-tank missile launch posts."
Reports from Palestinians confirm that Israeli airstrikes continued to pound the territory overnight, with residents in central Gaza reporting sustained tank shelling throughout the night.
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