The Israel-Hamas conflict reached its 10th day of turmoil on Monday. The strife was initiated when Israel declared war on Hamas, a day after a wave of its fighters breached the heavily fortified border on October 7. This incursion led to a horrific toll, with over 1,400 lives lost, primarily among civilians, as victims suffered shootings, stabbings, and burnings. In response, Israel launched an unrelenting aerial campaign against Gaza with the aim of eliminating the Hamas presence from the region.
In an effort to minimize civilian casualties, Israel has urged the population of Gaza to evacuate southward in preparation for a ground assault set for Monday. As a result, people fleeing the onslaught have been forced to seek refuge wherever possible, even on the streets or in United Nations-operated schools. Speaking on the situation, US President Joe Biden emphasized the need to confront extremists but cautioned against territorial occupation, considering it a "big mistake."
Here are the ten key developments in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict:
Rafah Border Crossing to Reopen: An Egyptian-controlled border crossing into Gaza is expected to reopen on Monday, as part of diplomatic efforts to provide aid to the Hamas-controlled territory. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, "Rafah will be reopened. We’re putting in place with the United Nations, with Egypt, with Israel, with others, a mechanism by which to get the assistance in and to get it to people who need it."
Mass Displacement in Gaza: Over a million people in Gaza have been displaced from their homes as Israel continues its bombardment of the Hamas-ruled territory in preparation for a possible full-scale ground invasion.
Biden Contemplates Israel Visit: President Joe Biden is considering a trip to Israel in the coming days, although travel plans have not been confirmed.
Caution Against Occupation: Biden has warned against Israel's occupation of Gaza, deeming it a "big mistake." He stressed that Hamas does not represent all Palestinians but acknowledged the necessity of dealing with extremists.
Nikki Haley's Critique: Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley criticized Islamic nations for not offering refuge to Gazan civilians fleeing their homes in anticipation of an Israeli ground invasion. She also took aim at former US President Barack Obama and the current President, Joe Biden, regarding the Iranian nuclear deal and accused Tehran of strengthening Hamas and Hezbollah.
Hezbollah's Involvement: Lebanese Hezbollah fighters launched attacks on Israeli army posts and a northern border village on Sunday, prompting Israeli retaliatory strikes in Lebanon.
Unprecedented Displacement: The United Nations reported that over a million people have been displaced in the Gaza Strip in the past week.
Impact on Oil Market: Oil prices remained relatively stable, as Israel had not yet initiated its anticipated ground offensive in Gaza. The US intensified efforts to prevent the conflict from escalating into a regional conflagration, with Brent oil holding below $91 a barrel.
Overwhelmed Gaza Hospitals: Gaza's hospitals are overwhelmed with patients and face critical shortages of supplies as the looming invasion puts additional strain on their resources. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 2,670 Palestinians have been killed and 9,600 wounded since the onset of the conflict.
War Crimes Accusations: On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) revealed evidence of the terrorist group's willingness to commit war crimes, visible even from outer space. The IDF posted satellite images on social media, showing the altered landscape following Hamas's attacks on October 7, underscoring their willingness to commit war crimes.
The Israel-Hamas conflict continues to unfold, with both regional and international actors closely monitoring the evolving situation.
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