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Diplomatic Endeavors for Ceasefire Gain Traction Amid Israeli Ground Advance to Gaza City

by Joshua Brown
9 comments
Gaza Conflict

Israeli forces progressed towards Gaza City this past Thursday, in the wake of heightened diplomatic initiatives by the United States and various Arab nations to alleviate the situation in the Hamas-dominated territory. These efforts aim to procure at least a short-term cessation of hostilities to assist civilians caught in the crossfire.

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden proposed a temporary humanitarian “ceasefire”. This proposition coincided with the departure of numerous foreign nationals and injured Palestinians from Gaza, marking their first exit through Egypt’s Rafah checkpoint. Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, is anticipated to revisit the area on Friday.

Several Arab states, even those in alignment with the U.S. and maintaining peaceful relations with Israel, have openly communicated their growing discomfort with the ongoing conflict. In a significant diplomatic move, Jordan withdrew its ambassador from Israel, requesting the Israeli ambassador to Jordan to stay away until the cessation of hostilities and resolution of the ensuing “humanitarian catastrophe”. The conflict has so far resulted in the tragic loss of over 3,600 Palestinian children within a span of 25 days, compelling a massive exodus from bombed neighborhoods and exacerbating the shortage of essential resources like food, water, and fuel.

Over the past weekend, a larger contingent of Israeli forces penetrated Gaza. This move followed three consecutive weeks of rigorous aerial bombardments that rendered many areas uninhabitable and displaced more than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants. The most recent conflict, marking the fifth and notably the deadliest skirmish in Gaza, was initiated by a violent Hamas assault into Israel on October 7. This invasion resulted in the unfortunate demise of numerous civilians, with around 240 being taken captive.

Despite the grim circumstances, the U.S. continues to stand firmly with Israel in its endeavor to terminate Hamas’ dominion over Gaza and incapacitate its military prowess. Notwithstanding this steadfast support, there seems to be an absence of a concrete post-conflict strategy. White House representatives have conveyed that a break in hostilities would pave the way for augmented humanitarian aid to Gaza and possibly facilitate the release of more captives.

The Rafah checkpoint’s opening was a culmination of protracted negotiations involving Egypt, Israel, the U.S., and Qatar, which serves as an intermediary with Hamas. This marked a significant departure from the previous trend, with exceptions being a few hostages freed by Hamas and one rescued by Israeli personnel.

On the battlefield, Israeli forces are reportedly progressing along three strategic trajectories, as per data from the Institute for the Study of War, a U.S.-based research organization. Their advances span from the northeastern and northwestern corners of Gaza and another route slicing through the region to intersect the primary north-south expressway.

In a recent development, Palestinian combatants retaliated with antitank missiles, explosive devices, and grenades during a nocturnal confrontation. The Israeli defense forces reported their subsequent counteraction, employing artillery, helicopters, and naval vessels. However, this account awaits independent verification.

The ongoing strife still endangers hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in northern Gaza, notwithstanding Israel’s recurrent appeals for evacuation towards the southern part of the territory, which, regrettably, is also under bombardment.

Both Palestinian and Israeli casualties are anticipated to surge as Israeli forces approach the densely populated sectors of Gaza City. Israeli authorities allege that Gaza City is a focal point for Hamas’ military infrastructure, including tunnels, and accuse the organization of using civilians as shields.

Missile strikes from Gaza into Israeli territories, compounded by intermittent clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants from Lebanon, have unsettled daily life for countless Israelis, compelling an estimated quarter-million to vacate border towns in both the northern and southern regions.

The Gaza Health Ministry disclosed on Wednesday that the conflict has taken the lives of over 8,800 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, with more than 22,000 injured. This unprecedented casualty figure overshadows previous records in the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian confrontations.

The Israeli side reports over 1,400 fatalities, primarily civilians from Hamas’ initial offensive, a count unparalleled in historical records. Additionally, 16 Israeli soldiers have been reported killed in Gaza since the onset of ground operations.

On Wednesday, at least 335 individuals holding foreign passports exited Gaza through the Rafah checkpoint into Egypt, as reported by Wael Abu Omar, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Crossings Authority. In a humanitarian gesture, Egypt facilitated the evacuation of 76 Palestinian patients and their caregivers for medical treatment. Concurrently, the U.S. is orchestrating the evacuation of approximately 400 American citizens and their families.

However, Egypt has expressed reservations about accommodating a massive inflow of Palestinian refugees, apprehensive that Israel might prohibit their return to Gaza post-conflict.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with a severe scarcity of basic necessities and overwhelming numbers seeking refuge in hospitals and United Nations-operated shelters. Although Israel has permitted the entry of over 260 supply trucks loaded with food and medicine via Egypt, aid workers insist that the assistance remains inadequate.

Medical facilities in Gaza are grappling with power challenges. Emergency generators are on the brink of fuel exhaustion amidst an overarching blackout in the territory. The World Health Organization has expressed concerns regarding the imminent risks to patients reliant on medical equipment, such as dialysis machines, incubators, and ventilators, due to fuel shortages.

Israel has declined fuel supply requests, voicing apprehensions over potential misappropriation by Hamas for military activities. The Israeli military released an audio recording allegedly showcasing a Hamas official coercing a hospital to surrender fuel. The authenticity of this recording is yet to be established.

Gaza City’s primary medical institution, Shifa Hospital, is precariously close to depleting its electricity reserves. Mohammed Abu Salmia, its director, has urgently appealed for fuel donations.

Fuel scarcity also forced the Turkish-Palestinian Hospital, the sole medical facility in Gaza specializing in cancer care, to suspend operations, jeopardizing the lives of 70 critical cancer patients. The Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza has had to operate under reduced lighting and even deactivate its morgue refrigeration units.

Ashraf al-Qudra, spokesperson for the Health Ministry, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stressing that without an urgent resolution, the healthcare system in Gaza is on the verge of a catastrophic collapse.


This report includes contributions from Chehayeb in Beirut, along with Wafaa Shurafa from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, and Amy Teibel from Jerusalem. Further coverage can be accessed at bigbignews.net/israel-hamas-war.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Gaza Conflict

What is the current status of Israel’s advance toward Gaza City?

Israeli ground troops are advancing toward Gaza City, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.

How have the U.S. and Arab countries responded to the conflict?

The U.S. and Arab countries are intensifying diplomatic efforts to ease the siege of the Hamas-ruled enclave in Gaza and are advocating for at least a brief pause in the fighting to assist civilians.

What did President Joe Biden suggest regarding the situation?

President Joe Biden suggested a humanitarian “pause” and highlighted the movement of hundreds of foreign passport holders and wounded Palestinians exiting Gaza via Egypt’s Rafah crossing.

How have Arab countries expressed their concerns about the war?

Arab countries, including those allied with the U.S. and at peace with Israel, have shown increasing unease about the ongoing conflict. Jordan, for example, recalled its ambassador from Israel and demanded that Israel’s envoy remain out of the country until the war stops and the humanitarian crisis is addressed.

What initiated this conflict in Gaza?

The war began when Hamas launched an attack into Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of individuals, including men, women, and children.

What stance has the U.S. taken regarding Israel and the conflict?

The U.S. has expressed unwavering support for Israel in its aim to end Hamas’ rule over Gaza and neutralize its military capabilities. However, both allies seem to lack a clear post-conflict plan.

How has the conflict impacted civilians in the region?

Bombings have driven hundreds of thousands from their homes, and essential resources like food, water, and fuel are running low. Additionally, hospitals are facing severe shortages, particularly with fuel for emergency generators, putting many patients at risk.

What’s the status of rocket fire from Gaza into Israel?

Rocket fire from Gaza into Israel and skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon have disrupted life for millions in Israel, forcing an estimated 250,000 to evacuate towns near the borders.

How many casualties have been reported on both sides?

Over 8,800 Palestinians, mostly women and minors, have been killed, with over 22,000 wounded. On the Israeli side, over 1,400 people have died, with sixteen Israeli soldiers killed since the start of the ground operation.

What challenges are hospitals in Gaza currently facing?

Hospitals in Gaza are dealing with power outages and a dire fuel shortage, endangering patients on dialysis, premature babies in incubators, cancer patients, and those on ventilators. Some facilities, like the Turkish-Palestinian Hospital, had to shut down due to the lack of fuel.

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9 comments

Jenny T November 2, 2023 - 12:15 pm

those numbers of casualties, especially women and kids, thats heartbreaking. Wish there was more awareness and help from international community.

Reply
Hannah B. November 2, 2023 - 1:22 pm

I can’t even imagine what those families are going through. Hope they find peace soon.

Reply
Sarah P. November 2, 2023 - 2:39 pm

isn’t there a way for diplomacy to step in earlier. hate reading about this every day.

Reply
Mike D. November 2, 2023 - 5:08 pm

where’s the UN and other major powers in all of this? Just reading and waiting?

Reply
Liam Z. November 2, 2023 - 5:34 pm

Everytime I see such articles I pray. just hoping for a better future for everyone involved.

Reply
Mark L. November 3, 2023 - 2:40 am

So sad to see the state of affairs there. why can’t we all just get along??

Reply
KevO November 3, 2023 - 3:20 am

Damn, this is intense. and the humanitarian crisis is heartbreaking. isn’t it 2023? thought we’d be past this by now.

Reply
Raj S. November 3, 2023 - 5:11 am

this never-ending cycle. Both sides have their reasons but the common people suffer.

Reply
AlexM November 3, 2023 - 5:34 am

rockets, airstrikes, and then there’s diplomacy? Its all so complicated. Politics ruin everything.

Reply

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