On-Going Attacks
On the 158th day of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, the occupation forces continued their bombardment on different areas of the besieged Strip. Battles are still raging on several fronts, and the crisis of hunger and disease is getting worse. Unfortunately, there are no signs of a ceasefire agreement being reached anytime soon.
High Numbers of Casualties
The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that the number of victims of the Israeli aggression on the Strip has risen to 31,184 martyrs and 72,889 injured since October 7. The occupation forces have committed 8 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, resulting in 72 martyrs and 129 injuries in the past 24 hours.
Resistance Operations
The Al-Qassam Brigades successfully ensnared two Zionist forces in a precise ambush and engaged them in combat in Hamad Town. They also targeted an Israeli tank and clashed with Israeli forces, leaving some dead and wounded.
The Al-Quds Brigades detonated an explosive device with a Zionist force barricaded inside an apartment in Hamad Town. They also targeted a military vehicle and a bulldozer with RPG shells and bombed gatherings of Israeli soldiers in the center of Hamad Town with mortar shells.
The Israeli army reported that 3 soldiers were injured in the Gaza battles in the past 24 hours.
Aid Martyrs
Tragically, 9 people were martyred due to Israeli bombing of Palestinians waiting for aid near the Kuwait Roundabout in Gaza. The government media office in Gaza stated that this incident raises the number of martyrs killed by occupation fire while waiting for aid to over 400.
On a more positive note, a Spanish aid ship carrying about 200 tons of food set sail from Cyprus towards Gaza. The United Nations World Food Program has resumed the entry of aid into Gaza, delivering the first convoy to the northern Gaza Strip since February 20, enough to support 25,000 people.
Storming of Jenin, injuries, and arrests
In the West Bank, two young Palestinians were injured, one of them by live bullets, after an Israeli special force infiltrated, through vehicles bearing Palestinian licenses, into the Jenin camp in the northern West Bank in an operation during which they arrested 4 Palestinians. This was followed by the outbreak of clashes between Palestinian resistance fighters and occupation soldiers, which continued until they withdrew outside the city.
The occupation forces surrounded several homes inside the camp, and sent large reinforcements, accompanied by a military bulldozer, from several directions to the city of Jenin and its camp, amid clashes between Palestinian resistance fighters and the occupation forces.
Raids and arrests continue in West Bank cities and camps, as part of a broad Israeli escalation since the Palestinian resistance launched the Al-Aqsa Flood Battle on October 7th.
100 missiles from Lebanon
Hezbollah announced the launch of "more than 100 missiles" towards military sites in northern Israel in response to its bombing of areas in Lebanon, most notably the city of Baalbek (east).
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority said that more than 100 missiles were launched since the morning from Lebanon on the Golan and several areas in the Upper Galilee.
The Civil Defense in eastern Lebanon reported that one person was killed and 8 wounded, in a preliminary toll of two Israeli raids on the Bekaa region. Al Jazeera's correspondent stated that an Israeli raid targeted the vicinity of the town of Barghaz in the eastern sector of southern Lebanon.
Losing Deterrence
In parallel, the Israeli Minister of Security said today - addressing Defense Minister Yoav Galant - that “the army is your responsibility and let us begin the response and attack on Lebanon and the war now.”
Maariv newspaper quoted Yura Saltz, head of the Upper Galilee Regional Council, as saying, "Israel has lost deterrence on its northern borders and is unable to restore it."
The Israeli army confirmed that it bombed Hezbollah's military infrastructure on the Syrian front and held the Syrian regime responsible.
Yemeni Front
The British government said that it sent the Royal Navy warship "Diamond" to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to contribute to protecting global shipping traffic, while the Houthis vowed to escalate attacks during the month of Ramadan.
Britain and Itali
Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said in a statement: “Britain remains at the forefront of the international response to the serious Houthi attacks on commercial ships, which have claimed the lives of international sailors.”
In another context, the Italian Defense Staff said that one of its military ships - operating within the European Union naval mission in the Red Sea - shot down two drones.
Targeting “Pinocchio”
Yesterday at dawn, the Houthi group targeted an American ship in the Red Sea with a number of missiles and vowed to escalate the attacks during the month of Ramadan in support of the Palestinian people.
The group's military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said, "Our missiles achieved an accurate hit on the American ship (Pinocchio) in the Red Sea."
Sarie vowed to escalate "military operations during the month of Ramadan in support of the Palestinian people and our mujahideen brothers in Gaza."
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken
The US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and stated that the US is working towards a ceasefire for 6 weeks to release hostages.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron
David Cameron, the British Foreign Secretary, mentioned that his government is collaborating with allies to establish a sea corridor from Cyprus for aid delivery to Gaza. However, he emphasized that land corridors are the most effective way to provide aid.
Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari
Qatar is working towards a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and is advocating for the opening of land corridors for aid without restrictions. They believe that a sea corridor is not a substitute for land corridors.
Belgian Foreign Minister Hajja Lahbib
Belgian Foreign Minister, Hajja Lahbib, stressed the need for a long-term ceasefire in Gaza to address the humanitarian crisis and protect civilians in accordance with international law.
Biden and Netanyahu
President Joe Biden has expressed concerns about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the conflict and has almost lost confidence in him. Biden believes that Netanyahu needs to prioritize protecting innocent lives.
US Senate's call to President Biden
Eight members of the US Senate have urged President Biden to prevent sending offensive weapons to Israel, emphasizing the importance of aid delivery in Gaza.
A Ceasefire is Still Possible
CIA Director William Burns remains optimistic about the possibility of reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, despite the complex issues at hand. He highlighted the ongoing efforts with Israeli, Qatari, and Egyptian counterparts to facilitate the process.
Source: Agencies
