In the 29th day of the Israel-Gaza conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly opposed any ceasefire efforts, insisting that Hamas must release all hostages. Here are the top 10 updates on the ongoing conflict:
Ceasefire Rejected: Despite US calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the proposal, demanding the release of all hostages by Hamas.
Continued Clashes: The Israeli military continues to engage in fierce clashes with Hamas militants in Gaza, with no immediate end in sight to the conflict.
Deteriorating Conditions: The living conditions in Gaza, which were already dire before the conflict, have further deteriorated. Residents are facing a severe shortage of food, resorting to drinking salty water, and medical services are on the verge of collapse.
Alarming Casualties: Gaza health officials report that over 9,250 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, underlining the heavy toll the war has taken on the civilian population.
Blinken's Efforts: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who had been working to secure humanitarian "pauses" in the war, left Israel without success and met with Jordan's King Abdullah II to discuss the situation.
Ambulance Tragedy: An Israeli airstrike on an ambulance used to evacuate the wounded from northern Gaza resulted in the death of 15 people and the injury of 60 others.
Palestinian Statehood: The United States has renewed calls to work toward a Palestinian state, but the chances of success remain uncertain after decades of failed efforts. President Biden has shifted his tone to emphasize the need to minimize harm to Palestinian civilians.
Deportations: Israel deported thousands of Palestinian workers from the Gaza Strip back to the besieged territory, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Calls for International Intervention: The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has urged the international community to intervene and protect civilians as well as medical teams from Israeli attacks.
Hezbollah's Ceasefire Call: In an unexpected move, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made his first public speech since 2006, calling for a ceasefire and praising Hamas' attacks on Israel that occurred on October 7.
Travel Warnings: The Israeli government is cautioning its citizens to reconsider foreign travel and exercise caution due to a rise in antisemitic incidents.
War Crimes Allegations: Families of nine Israeli victims of last month's Hamas attacks have filed a complaint at the International Criminal Court (ICC) alleging war crimes. The attacks on October 7 resulted in significant casualties, with Israeli officials claiming that 1,400 people, mostly civilians, were killed.
As the Israel-Gaza conflict continues, the situation remains complex and uncertain, with no immediate resolution in sight.
