Israel ramps up strikes on Gaza as US advises delaying ground offensive to allow talks on captives

24

Israel escalated its aerial attacks in Gaza on Monday, causing a rising number of casualties, while the United States recommended that Israel postpone a planned ground invasion to provide additional time for negotiations regarding hostages held by Hamas militants.

While Israel permitted two small shipments of aid into Gaza, it withheld fuel, exacerbating the ongoing power outage that has lasted almost two weeks. Hospitals in the area report scrambling to find fuel for generators required to power crucial medical equipment and incubators for newborns in critical condition.

Intensified airstrikes have resulted in widespread destruction in Gaza, including in areas designated as safe havens for civilians. The attacks have resulted in hundreds of deaths and overloaded hospitals, according to Palestinian officials and eyewitness accounts. A particular airstrike in Gaza City left multiple bodies in the streets, and a grieving woman was seen holding the hand of a deceased relative.

The Israeli military disseminated video clips claiming to show its targeted attacks on Hamas infrastructure. Each attack was characterized by a brief flash of yellow light followed by an explosion that propelled gray smoke and debris into the air as multi-story buildings crumbled or toppled.

Within the past 24 hours, Israel stated it had targeted 320 militant positions throughout Gaza as a preliminary step for what it termed “a maneuver,” likely referring to a ground operation. While the Israeli military asserts that it does not intentionally target civilians, it also reports that over 7,000 rockets have been fired into Israel by Palestinian militants since the conflict began.

There is an expectation that Israel will initiate a ground invasion into Gaza, in response to a violent incursion by Hamas on October 7 into southern Israeli communities. Israeli tanks and troops are amassed at the Gaza border, and the frequency of airstrikes has been increased to potentially mitigate risks to ground forces in subsequent operations.

Concerns are mounting over the potential for the conflict to expand, as Israeli air raids have also targeted locations in the occupied West Bank, Syria, and Lebanon. Israel has engaged in sporadic exchanges of fire with Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon and armed with a significant arsenal of rockets.

The U.S. government has recommended that Israel delay its ground operation to allow American diplomats additional time to work with regional intermediaries on securing the release of hostages held by Hamas, according to an anonymous U.S. official.

The conflict has resulted in substantial loss of life, with more than 1,400 people killed in Israel—primarily civilians during the initial Hamas attacks—and at least 222 individuals taken hostage. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza reported more than 5,000 Palestinian deaths, including about 2,000 minors and 1,100 women. The death toll has accelerated in recent days, with 436 additional deaths reported in the last 24 hours alone.

The current conflict is the deadliest of five wars between Israel and Hamas in less than 15 years. Amid the escalating violence, aid and humanitarian operations face severe challenges, including attacks near U.N. facilities and severe shortages of essential supplies in Gaza.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that while Israel has no intention to govern Gaza, the status quo must change to prevent future threats from Hamas. Israel captured Gaza in the 1967 Mideast war but withdrew its military and settlers in 2005. Since then, both Israel and Egypt have enforced a blockade on Gaza to varying degrees, particularly after Hamas seized power in 2007.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Israel-Gaza Conflict

More about Israel-Gaza Conflict

• Israel-Gaza Conflict: An Overview
• U.S. Foreign Policy on Israel and Palestine
• Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
• Role of Regional Actors in Israel-Gaza Conflict
• Latest Developments in Israel-Hamas War
• Historical Context: Israel and Gaza Wars
• U.N. Reports on Humanitarian Aid in Gaza