700 more Palestinians killed as Israel intensifies ground offensive
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As tensions continue to escalate in the Gaza Strip, Israel has intensified its bombing campaign across both northern and southern regions for a third consecutive day since the truce with Hamas came to an end. Local officials report that hundreds of Palestinians have lost their lives in the relentless airstrikes.
On Sunday night, the Israeli military announced the expansion of its ground operation, covering the entire Gaza Strip. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), stated that the ground forces are actively targeting Hamas centres and engaging in face-to-face combat with them.
The Jabaliya refugee camp in the north and the southern city of Khan Younis have been major focal points of the Israeli attacks.
In a move that further intensified the situation, the IDF demanded additional evacuations of civilians from targeted areas in Khan Younis, instructing them to head south to Rafah or westward.
The division of the Gaza Strip into three parts, with tanks cutting off the road between Khan Younis and Deir Al-Balah, has heightened fears among Gaza residents of an imminent Israeli ground offensive.
Ismael al-Thawabteh, the director general of the government media office in Gaza, reported that over 700 Palestinians lost their lives in 24 hours, emphasizing the devastating toll the conflict has taken on the civilian population.
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza later confirmed a staggering total of 15,523 Palestinians killed since the beginning of the war, with 316 reported dead and 664 wounded in the recent hours. Disturbingly, 70% of the casualties were women and children.
Khan Younis, believed to house Hamas' leadership, has become a primary target for Israeli forces. Reports indicate an intense bombardment of the city, with residents receiving leaflets labelling it a "dangerous combat zone" and urging them to relocate to designated safer areas.
However, some residents, disillusioned by previous relocation orders resulting in airstrikes, express scepticism and reluctance to comply.
Three Israeli soldiers were reported killed in Gaza on Sunday. The IDF identified them as Sgt Maj (Res) Neriya Shaer, Sgt 1st Class (res) Ben Zussman, and Sgt Binyamin Yehoshua Needham.
The conflict's impact has extended beyond the Middle East, as multiple streets in Wellington, New Zealand, were cordoned off due to the discovery of suspicious packages outside the Israeli and US embassies.
Although the packages were later deemed not a threat, the incident underscores the global repercussions of the ongoing conflict.
Amidst the escalating violence, US Vice President Kamala Harris expressed concerns about the potential for extremist settler violence in the West Bank to escalate tensions further. While reiterating strong support for Israel's right to self-defence, she emphasized the importance of planning for the post-conflict period. She reiterated the US commitment to a two-state solution.
As the international community watches with growing apprehension, calls for an immediate ceasefire and diplomatic resolution to the conflict intensify, recognizing the devastating human cost on both sides of the conflict.