GAZA: The Israeli army chief, Herzi Halevi, on Wednesday warned that the military operation in Gaza will continue for “many more months” as Israel intensifies strikes within the Gaza Strip. The ongoing Israeli bombardment has already killed more than 20,915 Palestinians, with concerns escalating over a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Despite global calls for a cessation of hostilities, Israel continued its bombardments, with leaders vowing to sustain the offensive. Meanwhile, the United States reported intercepting a barrage of drones and missiles over the Red Sea, fired by Yemen’s Houthi fighters.
Halevi emphasized the complexity of the military operation’s objectives, stating, “This operation’s objectives are essential and not simple to achieve. Therefore, the war will continue for many more months.” Since October 7, Israel has launched a campaign of relentless bombardments in Gaza, involving a sustained bombardment, siege, and ground invasion.
Dire Humanitarian Situation in Gaza Amid Israeli Bombardments
The toll on Gaza’s 2.4 million inhabitants is severe, with shortages of water, food, fuel, and medicine. The United Nations estimates that 1.9 million Gazans have been displaced, and the recent UN Security Council resolution called for the “safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale.”
As the conflict continues, Palestinian civilians in Gaza are grappling with dire conditions. In the city of Rafah, displaced people queued for clean water, with some resorting to unconventional means like using carts originally meant for selling fish. The lack of fuel has forced people to burn wood for cooking and warmth.
The UN humanitarian coordinator, Sigrid Kaag, appointed on Tuesday, will oversee and verify third-country aid to Gaza. However, the resolution did not call for an immediate end to the Israeli bombardments.
The Israeli military confirmed the deaths of three more soldiers on Tuesday, bringing the total to 161 since the ground invasion commenced on October 27. The UN Human Rights Office expressed grave concern about the continued bombardment of central Gaza by Israeli forces.
Violence has also erupted in the occupied West Bank, with an Israeli operation in a refugee camp leading to six deaths. The overall death toll in the West Bank since the conflict’s start has surpassed 300 Palestinians, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said.
