Day 128: Rising Casualties and Warnings of Famine
On the 128th day of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, the number of martyrs reached over 28,176, with 14 new massacres committed by the occupation forces. There are growing concerns about a catastrophic famine and deaths due to hunger in northern Gaza.
The occupation forces have intensified their attacks on Rafah, despite international and regional warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe if Israel invades the city. The Hamas movement also warned that an Israeli attack on Rafah would undermine the ongoing prisoner exchange negotiations. There are reports of US President Joe Biden distancing himself from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, Israel continues its incursions into the West Bank and has moved a large division of its army to the border with Lebanon. Demonstrations in support of Gaza and demanding an immediate end to the aggression have taken place in Arab and European cities. The US Central Command has announced the destruction of two pilot boats and three anti-ship missiles in Yemen, which were prepared for launching against ships in the Red Sea.
Battles and Losses
Fierce clashes between the Palestinian resistance and the Israeli occupation forces have been taking place in the Gaza Strip, particularly in the west of Khan Yunis. The Israeli army has reported that two officers and a soldier were seriously injured in battles in the south of the Gaza Strip. In the past 24 hours, seven soldiers from the occupation army were also injured in Gaza.
According to Israeli army data, a total of 2,855 officers and soldiers have been injured since the beginning of the war, with 432 of them being very seriously injured. The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, has shared pictures of a drone they seized that was conducting an intelligence mission in northern Gaza. The Al-Quds Brigades also released images of their members targeting an Israeli force in Khan Yunis, resulting in deaths and injuries.
Killing and Wounding of Israeli Prisoners
The Al-Qassam Brigades announced the killing of two Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip and the serious wounding of eight others due to Israeli bombings in the past 96 hours. The conditions of the prisoners are becoming more dangerous as they are unable to receive appropriate treatment. Israel is held fully responsible for their lives due to the continued bombing and aggression against Gaza.
Massacres and Humanitarian Crisis
In the past 24 hours, there have been 112 martyrs and 173 injured in the Gaza Strip, bringing the total number of victims of the Israeli aggression to 28,176 martyrs and 67,784 injured since October 7th. Al Jazeera obtained photos showing civilians being sniped at by the occupation forces in Gaza City. The occupation forces have also prevented the entry of aid, leading to deaths from hunger and a lack of food supplies. The humanitarian situation in northern Gaza has reached a catastrophic stage, with families receiving only half a meal every 48 hours.
Imminent Invasion of Rafah
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the Israeli army to plan the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of Rafah residents before an expected ground invasion. Rafah has become the last refuge for displaced Palestinians who were forced out of other areas in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu believes that calls to avoid entering Rafah would result in losing the war. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant stated that deepening the military operation in Gaza would bring Israel closer to a "realistic agreement" to exchange prisoners.
Hamas has warned Israel that any military operation in Rafah would sabotage the ongoing negotiations for a prisoner exchange.
Netanyahu and Biden Call
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a telephone conversation regarding the possible military operation in Rafah and the release of prisoners. There are reports of increasing disagreements between the two sides. Biden expressed concern about the impact of a military operation on the humanitarian situation and emphasized the need for a reliable and implementable plan to ensure the safety of the one million people seeking refuge in Rafah.
According to a senior US administration official, the call between Biden and Netanyahu lasted about 45 minutes. American media sources suggest that Biden and his aides are considering breaking ties with Netanyahu, as they believe he is focused on his political survival rather than other goals.
Hamas Spying
A former Israeli military intelligence officer revealed that there is a big worry that Hamas had been spying on the Israeli army before the war started. They were doing some deep counter-espionage operations.
Israel robs a Bank
Last week, an Israeli force stormed the Bank of Palestine in Gaza City and seized 200 million shekels ($54.3 million).
UNRWA Under Threat
The Israeli Knesset's Constitution and Judiciary Committee approved a draft law to stop the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in occupied Jerusalem.
Support for Gaza
Many cities in Arab and European countries saw large demonstrations in protest against the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.
Escalation in the West Bank
The Israeli occupation army continues to raid cities and towns in the West Bank, arresting several Palestinians, including freed prisoners. Video clips showed the occupation forces detaining and assaulting young men in Hebron. Settlers also attacked Palestinian vehicles and closed the entrance to the village of Bazaria.
Settlement Project
The Israeli government is taking advantage of the focus on the war in Gaza to push a settlement project in East Jerusalem. They plan to build a new neighborhood called "Novi Rahal" with 650 housing units near Palestinian homes in the Umm Tuba suburb.
Lebanon Front
The Israeli Chief of Staff decided to move the 36th Armored Division from Gaza to the border with Lebanon, where the Israeli army is exchanging bombardments with the Lebanese Hezbollah. Hezbollah announced the implementation of 5 operations on Israeli sites.
Yemen Front
The US forces launched raids on two drone boats and three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles in Yemen, claiming it was in self-defense.
Iranian Request
Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi called for Israel's expulsion from the United Nations, stating that the war crimes in Palestine are being carried out with the full support of the United States of America.
Source: Al Jazeera
