Israel has launched a new, wide-scale military operation in Gaza City and central Gaza on July 8, 2024, forcing thousands of Palestinians to flee amid heavy fighting, airstrikes, and artillery fire. The Israeli military has expanded its control, targeting areas previously thought cleared of militants, including the Shujaiya neighborhood. The operation has resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries, with many casualties reportedly trapped under rubble.Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has warned that this escalation could have ‘catastrophic consequences’ for ceasefire negotiations. He accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of sabotaging peace talks through these military actions. Hamas claims that Israel is using force and intimidation as tactics to disrupt negotiations and destroy any chance of a ceasefire.Despite the escalation, diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire continue. Senior U.S. officials, including CIA Director Bill Burns and Middle East envoy Brett McGurk, are in Cairo pushing for a ceasefire. Hamas has shown some flexibility in negotiations, dropping its demand for a complete ceasefire as part of any deal. However, Netanyahu insists that any Gaza ceasefire agreement must allow Israel to resume fighting until its objectives are met.The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 38,193 Palestinians have been killed and 87,903 wounded since October 7, 2023. The United Nations has called for an immediate end to the Israeli aggression and for the Israeli military to respect international law.As the situation remains volatile, Egypt is set to host U.S. and Israeli delegations in the coming days to discuss ‘outstanding issues’ of a possible ceasefire agreement, including the release of 116 Israeli hostages held by Hamas since October 2023.
Key points
- Israel has launched a new military operation in Gaza, forcing thousands to flee.
- Hamas warns that this escalation could derail ceasefire negotiations.
- U.
- At least 38,193 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
S.
officials are pushing for a ceasefire despite significant obstacles.
Contradictions👾While some sources report Israel advancing deeper into Gaza, others mention Israeli forces withdrawing from certain areas.
This could indicate fluid military movements or conflicting reports from different timeframes.
