More Bombings and Displacement
On the 84th day of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, things got even more intense. The Israeli forces continued to bomb different areas of Gaza, causing the deaths of many people in Nuseirat. At the same time, they started attacking Khuza'a and sending reinforcements to the Khan Yunis area.
Because of all the bombs and tanks, tens of thousands of Palestinians had to leave their homes and find shelter in the already crowded city of Rafah in the south of Gaza. The United Nations is keeping an eye on this situation.
Ground Battles and Attacks
There were some fierce battles happening in Gaza City, especially in places like Al-Shaaf, Jabal Al-Rayes, Al-Tuffah neighborhood, and Al-Daraj area. Al Jazeera got some footage of these battles, showing us what was happening up close.
The military wing of the Hamas movement, called the Al-Qassam Brigades, said that they targeted 20 Israeli vehicles in the past 48 hours in Gaza City. On the other side, Israeli fighters and artillery intensified their bombardment in the central region, focusing on places like Bureij, Nuseirat, and Maghazi camps where many refugees and displaced people live.
The Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Galant, said that the army is currently focusing its operations in Khan Yunis, which is in the south of Gaza.
New Losses for the Israeli Army
The Israeli army announced that one of their officers was killed and 21 officers and soldiers were injured during battles in the northern Gaza Strip. This brings the total number of soldiers killed since the start of the ground operation in Gaza to 174, and the total number of those killed since October 7th to 502.
The Rising Death Toll
The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that 187 people were killed in the past 24 hours, and over 312 Palestinians were injured. In total, more than 21,507 people have been killed as a result of the bombing since October 7th. It's really sad to hear about so many lives lost.
Mass Exodus and Forced Displacement
Because of all the bombs, tens of thousands of Palestinians had to leave their homes in Nuseirat, Bureij, and Al-Maghazi and move to the city of Deir Al-Balah in the middle of Gaza. They are now gathering in temporary camps. It's really tough for them.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Refugees (UNRWA) said that the Israeli authorities' evacuation order in central Gaza is causing more forced displacement. Over 150,000 people, including children, women, people with disabilities, and the elderly, have become homeless. It's heartbreaking.
Other Events
In the West Bank, there was an attack that wounded 5 Israeli soldiers near Hebron. The Israeli army said they killed the attacker. There were also clashes near Jerusalem that resulted in the death of a young Palestinian man.
The occupation forces attacked worshipers in Al-Aqsa Mosque and prevented them from reaching the Holy Mosque for the 12th Friday in a row since the beginning of the war on Gaza. It's really unfair.
In South Lebanon, Lebanese Hezbollah announced that they carried out 8 attacks against Israeli sites. They targeted different places and even bombed a car in a town called Aitaroun. The situation there is really tense.
There was also news about the Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeting an American base in Syria. It's all getting really complicated.
UN Session and the Egyptian Proposal
In New York, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called for a ceasefire in Gaza for humanitarian reasons and the release of detainees and prisoners. He warned that if the conflict continues, it could lead to a bigger regional conflict. The Security Council also discussed the situation in the occupied West Bank.
The Hamas movement sent a delegation to Egypt to present their thoughts on the Egyptian initiative, which suggests a ceasefire to end the Israeli aggression on Gaza. They want the aggression to stop and for the prisoners to be released.
That's all for now, middle schoolers. It's a tough situation, and we hope for peace and safety for everyone involved.
Barak's Assessment
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak recently commented on the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. He acknowledged that the Israeli army has achieved some successes, but it has not yet accomplished all of its goals. Barak also pointed out that the recent Hamas attack is the most dangerous in Israel's history and has exposed weaknesses in the Israeli security services. He dismissed the idea of encouraging Palestinians in Gaza to voluntarily leave, stating that it is unrealistic.
Cuban President's Criticism
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed his strong disapproval of Israel's actions in Gaza. He called for an end to what he described as barbarism against the Palestinian people. The President shared a picture of a woman carrying a child amidst the ruins of a building destroyed by Israeli bombings in Gaza.
South Africa's Lawsuit
South Africa has taken legal action by requesting the International Court of Justice to issue an urgent order declaring that Israel is violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention in its ongoing campaign against Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has promptly rejected the lawsuit, claiming it lacks legal basis.
UN Official's Condemnation
The United Nations Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, strongly criticized Israel's actions in Gaza. She referred to them as “the horrors of the 21st century” and emphasized that the silence of Western nations amounts to complicity. Albanese highlighted the devastating impact on the lives of young children who are being killed and injured daily. On average, 100 Palestinians are killed in Gaza every day, according to the UN official.
Denmark's Response
Denmark has decided to send a warship to the Red Sea to participate in the US-led "Prosperity Guardian" operation. The Danish Defense Minister expressed concern about the dangerous situation in the Red Sea, where civilian shipping traffic continues to face attacks. The Danish government will seek parliamentary approval for its participation in the operation.
Iran's Execution of "Saboteurs"
In Iran, authorities announced the execution of four individuals who were described as saboteurs and linked to the Israeli intelligence service, Mossad. Six others were sentenced to 10 years in prison for their involvement in a cell of ten people, whose arrest was announced last year. The convicts were allegedly planning to assassinate security forces in Iran in exchange for money from Mossad.
Source: Agencies
