Heavy fighting across Gaza as Israel presses ahead with renewed US military and diplomatic support

Intense combat persisted throughout the night into Sunday across Gaza, escalating in the devastated northern region. This follows Israel’s continuation of its military campaign, bolstered by the U.S., which impeded a global move for a cease-fire and expedited munitions supply to Israel.

The international community has increasingly condemned Israel following the high civilian casualty rate in Gaza, where a significant majority of the 2.3 million residents are now internally displaced. Amidst these conditions, the U.N. has declared no part of Gaza safe for refuge.

The U.S. has been pivotal in supporting Israel’s recent operations, obstructing U.N. Security Council’s cease-fire resolutions, backed by many countries, and facilitating an urgent transfer of over $100 million in tank ammunition to Israel.

This support aligns with the U.S.’s commitment to Israel’s objective of dismantling Hamas’ military and governance capabilities, a response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and other militants in southern Israel, resulting in substantial casualties and hostage-taking, although a significant number were released during a recent cease-fire.

As a counteraction, Israel’s air and ground offensives have led to high Palestinian civilian fatalities and mass displacement. The limited humanitarian aid and inaccessibility to many areas have led to critical shortages of essentials among Palestinians.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed grave concern over the humanitarian crisis, warning of irreversible regional impacts. Tzachi Hanegbi, Israel’s National Security Adviser, indicated the U.S. has not set a deadline for Israel to achieve its objectives against Hamas.

In northern Gaza, Israeli forces continue to encounter strong resistance, with widespread destruction from air strikes and ongoing ground operations. Reports and footage from Israeli media show detainees in severe conditions, allegations of mistreatment, which the Israeli military has not addressed.

Despite portrayals of these detentions as a sign of Hamas’ weakening in the north, intense combat persists in key Gaza areas, with residents describing indiscriminate attacks and inaccessible medical assistance due to Israeli military positioning.

Israeli forces have reported raiding a Hamas command center in Shijaiyah and seizing various weapons. Despite evacuation orders for northern Gaza, many residents remain, fearing similar risks elsewhere or permanent displacement.

In Khan Younis, southern Gaza, residents report continuous violence and bombardments. The war, now in its third month, has seen Palestinian casualties in Gaza exceed 17,700, predominantly women and children. Israel attributes civilian casualties to Hamas’ tactics in densely populated areas and has lost 97 soldiers in the ground offensive, with Palestinian militants still launching rockets into Israel.

Israel claims to have advised civilians on safe evacuation, even as it targets alleged militant sites across Gaza. Thousands have fled to areas like Rafah, near the Egyptian border, one of the few accessible places for aid delivery. However, conditions in designated safe zones like Muwasi are dire, with extreme overcrowding and inadequate facilities.

This report was compiled with contributions from journalists in Cairo, Jerusalem, and Dubai. The full coverage can be accessed at Big Big News.

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