Israel-Gaza Conflict: In the midst of an escalating conflict in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a resolute warning that "Every Hamas member is a dead man." Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden reaffirmed American support for Israel as the region grapples with a severe humanitarian crisis. Here are the key developments in this evolving situation:
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- US Supports Israel: The United States made its stance clear by expressing unwavering support for Israel as the country confronts Hamas. The conflict has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- Netanyahu's Strong Pledge: Netanyahu vowed to crush and destroy Hamas, emphasizing the severity of the situation as casualties mounted on both sides. His televised address painted a grim picture of the violence, with graphic descriptions of atrocities allegedly committed by Hamas militants.
- Formation of Wartime Cabinet: In response to the escalating conflict, Netanyahu formed a wartime cabinet, joining forces with senior opposition leader Benny Gantz. This special cabinet will focus solely on managing the crisis. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is also part of this newly established body.
- Gantz Joins the Cause: Gantz, Israel's opposition leader, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "There is a time for war and time for peace. Now is the time for war." He highlighted the unity among the Israeli people and the government during this crisis.
- US Travel Advisory: The United States issued a travel advisory, urging its citizens to avoid traveling to Gaza and reconsider travel plans to Israel. The US State Department is exploring options to facilitate the departure of American citizens from Israel to nearby countries.
- Iran-Saudi Dialogue: The ongoing conflict prompted a historic conversation between Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While Iran is accused of backing Hamas, Saudi Arabia reiterated its stance against Israel, with both sides discussing the need to end war crimes in Palestine.
- Biden's Pledge: US President Joe Biden assured American Jewish leaders that he "refuses to be silent" during what he called the "deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust." He expressed dedication to addressing the hostage crisis in Israel and deploying experts to assist with recovery efforts. Biden also urged Iran to exercise caution.
- Lebanon's Involvement: Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group claimed to have fired missiles at Israel, which Israel countered. Northern Israel was put on alert amid suspicions of an infiltration from Lebanon into Israeli airspace. However, this turned out to be a false alarm due to either technical malfunction or human error.
- Possible Ground Operation: As Israel intensifies its offensive, the formation of a wartime cabinet raises questions about the potential for a ground assault. Israel has been warning civilians in Gaza to evacuate and is mobilizing 360,000 reservists. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed that Israel respects international law and strives to minimize civilian casualties.
- Dire Situation in Gaza: More than 250,000 people in Gaza have been forced to flee their homes due to the conflict. Israel has imposed severe restrictions on the supply of food, fuel, electricity, and medicine to Gaza. The sole access point from Egypt was closed after airstrikes near the border crossing, leaving only private generators to power hospitals and essential facilities.
- Hamas Denies Allegations: Hamas vehemently denied allegations of beheading children and assaulting women, calling them baseless and accusing Western media outlets of spreading false information. Ezzat Al Rishq, a member of Hamas's political bureau, emphasised that there was no evidence to support these claims.
- Justin Bieber Controversy: Singer Justin Bieber faced criticism for sharing an image of Gaza with a caption stating "praying for Israel." Following backlash, he deleted the post.
The Israel-Gaza conflict continues to evolve rapidly, with international leaders and organizations closely monitoring the situation and calling for a peaceful resolution.
- With inputs from agencies
