Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the war “until we achieve all its goals” as his military’s push into packed southern Gaza raised global concern.
It has now been confirmed by the IDF that it is advancing into the southern Gaza Strip.
After negotiations to extend the ceasefire with Hamas broke down, Israel increased the intensity of its shelling of the Gaza Strip and removed its delegation of negotiators from Qatar. Rockets were still being launched into southern Israel, but a top Hamas official declared that no further hostages would be released in a prisoner exchange until there was a cease-fire.
US public pressure on Israel to take more action to protect civilians was growing, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to carry out the war “until we achieve all its goals.”
The invasion of crowded southern Gaza by the Israeli military has sparked alarm around the world. After weeks of aerial bombardment and ground fighting in the north, Israel claims that Hamas leaders are sheltering with the crowds it urged to escape south. Although residents of Gaza claim there isn’t a certain safe location to go, Israel has issued warnings to residents to leave particular neighbourhoods.
There are roughly 1.8 million displaced persons in Gaza, where hundreds have died since hostilities resumed, according to health officials, and the dead toll from weeks of Israeli attacks has topped fifteen thousand. With over 140 persons still being held captive in Gaza, the Israel Defence Forces estimate that 1,200 people were murdered in the Hamas raid on October 7.