Israeli forces have escalated their military operations across the Gaza Strip, resulting in at least 21 Palestinian deaths, including women and children, since dawn on Sunday. The attacks have targeted various areas, including refugee camps and residential buildings in northern, central, and southern Gaza.One of the deadliest strikes occurred in the El Zevayda neighborhood, where 15 members of the Aclah family, including 9 children and 3 women, were killed when their home was hit. The Israeli army has also intensified its operations in Rafah, with Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi ordering increased military activity in the area. The Israeli military believes that destroying the Rafah Brigade of the Al-Qassam Brigades would improve conditions for negotiations to release detainees.As the conflict continues, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to arrive in Israel on Sunday to push for a ceasefire agreement. However, Hamas has expressed reservations about what it describes as new Israeli demands, complicating the negotiation process. The ongoing violence has raised concerns about a potential regional escalation, with French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné calling for restraint during a visit to Egypt.The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reporting that new Israeli evacuation orders affect approximately 170,000 displaced civilians in an area covering about 11% of the Gaza Strip. The conflict, now in its 317th day, has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths and left at least 10,000 missing, presumably dead under the rubble.
Key points
- Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 21 Palestinians, including women and children, across the Gaza Strip.
- The Israeli military has intensified operations in Rafah, aiming to destroy the Rafah Brigade.
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Israel to push for a ceasefire agreement.
- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with new evacuation orders affecting 170,000 displaced civilians.
Contradictions👾While some sources report 21 Palestinian deaths, others mention 19 or 20 casualties, indicating slight discrepancies in the reported death toll.
