In preparation for war, Israel amasses tanks near Gaza. Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, the head of the Israeli military, has said that “now is the time for war” in response to a series of deadly attacks carried out by the Palestinian group Hamas in the last few days.
As Hamas has intensified its attacks on Israel, culminating in the deadliest attack in its history, the conflict has deepened. The Israeli death toll has risen to more than 1,300 according to public broadcaster Kan.
In light of recent security lapses around Gaza that facilitated the attack, Israel’s military chief stressed the need to learn from them. In response, he said, “We are committed to learning from these lapses, conducting a thorough investigation, but at this time, we are committed to war.”
In preparation for war, Israel amasses tanks near Gaza. Israeli and foreign hostages have been taken back to Gaza by Hamas, with Israel identifying 97 of them. In response, Israel has imposed a siege on Gaza and launched a relentless bombing campaign, causing widespread destruction.
Over 1,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to Gaza authorities.
Gaza’s critical infrastructure has also been damaged by the conflict. There is an acute shortage of food and fresh water in Gaza, according to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
In the Gaza Strip, both Hamas and Israelis are alleged to have committed war crimes, raising concerns for possible investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Hamas allegedly killed children and civilians in a weekend rampage while Israel presented graphic images to gain international support.
As a result of the images, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed shock, describing them as “absolute depravity of the worst kind.”
The Israeli military chief’s call for war and a ground invasion to eliminate Hamas has become a central point of discussion as the crisis deepens. Lloyd Austin, US Defense Secretary, responded that the US expects Israel to “do the right things” in its war against Hamas, saying that the US places no conditions on its security assistance to Israel.
International concerns and safety measures have also been prompted by the conflict. Unrest has erupted in Europe, with police in Paris dispersing a banned rally in support of Palestinians with tear gas and water cannons. A number of Jewish schools have also temporarily closed due to safety concerns, including those in Amsterdam and London.
Many across the world are urging restraint, but also recognizing the need for a solution to avoid further deaths and suffering.
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