Israeli forces intensified their operations in central and southern Gaza Strip, clashing with Hamas fighters, while Palestinian health officials reported on Thursday that Israeli strikes had resulted in at least 27 deaths across the region. This escalation occurred shortly after US President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prioritize a truce in Gaza and the release of hostages, as stated by the White House. Despite ongoing negotiations, both Israel and Hamas remain steadfast in their demands.
In Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, an attack on a residence led to the death of 11 individuals, including children and women, with some bodies burned, according to the Hamas-run Civil Emergency Service. Additionally, six people, including a journalist, were killed in a strike at Al Maghazi camp in central Gaza, and five others died in separate attacks in the south. Later, an Israeli airstrike near a square in Khan Younis resulted in five fatalities and several injuries.
The Israeli military claimed to have dismantled numerous military structures, located rockets, and killed militants in Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis over the past 24 hours, including 50 militants in Rafah. Hamas's armed wing reported an ambush in Rafah that resulted in casualties among Israeli forces. Following US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent visit to the region, which did not yield a breakthrough, Biden and Netanyahu discussed the ongoing conflict.
Hamas seeks an agreement that ends the war and releases hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, blaming both Israel and the US for the lack of a concluded deal. Netanyahu insists on defeating Hamas before ending the war, viewing any ceasefire as a temporary measure due to the continued threat posed by the group.
In Deir Al Balah, residents reported Israeli tanks advancing and blocking roads, while in Khan Younis, families were displaced by further tank advances and drone attacks. Imad Al Ghalayeeni described the desperate conditions of displaced families, highlighting the growing skepticism among Palestinians about the effectiveness of ceasefire talks.
Gaza's population, repeatedly displaced since the war's onset, faces ongoing threats even in designated safe zones. Health services in Jabalia have been severely impacted due to fuel shortages. The Israeli military campaign has claimed over 40,000 lives in Gaza since October, when Hamas initiated the conflict by attacking Israeli communities and military bases.
