Israeli forces conducted fresh raids in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, just hours before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to speak to the US Congress. These recent Israeli operations led to the destruction of homes in areas east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, compelling thousands to move westward in search of refuge, according to local residents. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service reported receiving distress calls from trapped residents in Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis, but was unable to provide assistance. Medical sources later confirmed that two Palestinians were killed in an airstrike in Bani Suhaila, where Hamas's military wing claimed to have detonated a bomb against an Israeli military vehicle. The Israeli military, in its efforts to eliminate Hamas following the October 7 attack, stated that it was operating in regions from which fighters had launched rockets into Israel and assaulted Israeli soldiers. Gaza health officials reported that Israeli military strikes over the past 24 hours had resulted in at least 55 deaths, adding to the toll of over 39,000 Palestinians killed since the conflict began.
"Where can we go? Should we head into the sea?" questioned Ghada, who has been displaced with her family six times during the conflict, via a chat app from Hamad City in northwestern Khan Younis. "We are exhausted, hungry, and desperately want this war to end—immediately, not a moment later." Residents reported being directed westward towards a designated humanitarian zone, which they now consider unsafe. The Israeli military disseminated evacuation orders via social media and some residents received direct phone notifications. Additionally, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes in various parts of central and northern Gaza, including the Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza, where health officials reported nine fatalities.
Hamas-led fighters initiated the conflict on October 7 by invading southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of 250, according to Israeli figures. Approximately 120 hostages remain, though Israel estimates that one-third may be deceased. Some Palestinians gathered at a Khan Younis hospital ahead of funerals to criticize the United States, Israel's key international ally, for welcoming Netanyahu. He was set to address Congress later that day and meet President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump announced plans to meet Netanyahu in Florida on Friday.
"The United States is complicit in what is unfolding in Gaza. We are being killed because of the United States. We are being massacred by American planes, ships, tanks, and troops," stated Kazem Abu Taha, a displaced resident from Rafah. A senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, commented to Reuters: "The invitation to Netanyahu to speak in Congress legitimizes the genocidal war in Gaza. Welcoming a war criminal is a disgrace to all Americans." Israel has vehemently denied accusations from South Africa at the UN's highest court that its operations in Gaza constitute a state-led genocide campaign against Palestinians. It has also reacted strongly to the International Criminal Court's prosecutor's move to seek an arrest warrant for Netanyahu.
Netanyahu suggests that a deal to free Israeli captives in Gaza might be imminent, but Hamas officials see no shift in Israel's position. Hamas seeks a ceasefire to end the war, while Netanyahu insists that the conflict cannot conclude until Hamas is eradicated.
