The Israel-Gaza war, which began with a ‘surprise’ attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on 7 October, shows no signs of abating, with the death toll in Gaza under Israeli air strikes passing 2,800.
On the 11th day of clashes between Israel and Hamas, at least 80 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes on Khan Younis and Rafah, two cities in the southern Gaza Strip that had become shelters for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians after Israel called for the evacuation of over one million residents from northern Gaza.
Hamas releases video of hostage
On Monday, Hamas published a video featuring Mia Schem, a 21-year-old French-Israeli woman who was taken hostage on 7 October. In the video, Schem, who appears to have an injured arm, can be seen receiving medical treatment and pleading for a swift return to her family.
Hamas has demanded the release of 6,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody, in exchange for the hostages. According to a Hamas spokesperson, there are approximately “about 200-250” Israeli captives in Gaza, a number that exceeds the figure recognised by Israeli authorities. Out of these, 200 were reportedly in the custody of the al-Qassam Brigades, while others were held by various Palestinian groups.
Hamas also stated its intention to release non-Israeli hostages “at an appropriate time”.
Diplomatic moves
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has announced that Turkey is currently engaged in negotiations with Hamas regarding the release of foreign nationals, civilians, and children who are being held hostage by the group.
United States President Joe Biden, on the other hand, is scheduled to travel to Jordan, where he will engage in discussions regarding the hostage crisis and the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, following his visit to Israel on Wednesday. He will meet with Jordanian King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, according to a statement from the White House.
Several Western leaders have set to visit Israel this week. On Tuesday, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to arrive later in the day. President Biden has also announced his planned visit to Israel on Wednesday, emphasising his desire to stand in solidarity with the United States’ ally in the face of what he referred to as “Hamas’s brutal terrorist attack”.
Meanwhile, Jordan’s King Abdullah II has firmly stated that his country will not accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza, stressing that no refugees will enter Jordan or Egypt.
Continued border tensions with Hezbollah
Meanwhile, tensions and mutual attacks persist along the Israel-Lebanon border too, with Hezbollah. The Israeli army reported killing four individuals attempting to infiltrate and plant explosives from the Lebanese border.
UN warns of dire humanitarian situation
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an estimated 2,800 deaths and 11,000 wounded in Gaza, with a significant portion of casualties being women and children. WHO also noted that health facilities in Gaza have been subjected to 115 attacks.
The conflict has severely impacted essential services in Gaza, with hospitals facing shortages of medical supplies, electricity and fuel supply issues, limited access to food rations, and dwindling food supplies. Drinking water has become scarce, with many residents forced to use brackish water from agricultural wells.
Allegations of white phosphorus use
Human rights groups have accused Israeli forces of using white phosphorus, which can cause horrific deformities, in Gaza and Lebanon. Amnesty International has verified videos showing Israeli artillery shells firing white phosphorus in civilian areas, a move considered a war crime.
UN concerns on forced relocation
The United Nations human rights office has suggested that Israel’s evacuation order in Gaza could be considered a forcible transfer of civilians, which is a crime against humanity under international law.
Iran’s warning
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commander issued a warning, stating that Israel will face further resistance if what they referred to as “atrocities” do not cease in Gaza.
