Ongoing Conflict Updates | Telecommunications in Gaza Severed Again as Israeli Forces Prepare for Incursion

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Israeli military forces have effectively separated the northern and southern regions of Gaza in anticipation of a potential incursion into the Hamas-governed enclave, while the territory faced another telecommunications outage on Monday—marking the third such incident since the onset of hostilities. Reports from Israeli news outlets indicate a possible move into Gaza City within the next two days.

Following Israeli airstrikes that targeted two refugee camps in the central sector of the Gaza Strip on Sunday, resulting in significant casualties as reported by health officials, the Israeli government has dismissed the idea of a U.S.-proposed humanitarian ceasefire, despite the mounting number of civilian fatalities.

In a surprise visit on Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, located in the West Bank, before heading to Baghdad to engage in discussions with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

The death toll in Gaza has climbed above 9,700, with over 4,000 being children and teenagers, as stated by Gaza’s Hamas-led Health Ministry. In the occupied West Bank, the violence and Israeli operations have resulted in the deaths of over 140 Palestinians.

For more in-depth coverage:

• Telecommunications collapse anew in Gaza as Israeli military encircles Gaza City.
• Blinken’s diplomatic efforts span from the West Bank to Iraq amid the ongoing conflict.
• Global protests demand an immediate cessation of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

Over 1,400 Israelis have lost their lives, predominantly in the Hamas-initiated attack on October 7 that sparked the current conflict, with 242 individuals reportedly taken from Israel to Gaza by the militant group.

An agreement, seemingly involving the United States, Egypt, Israel, and Qatar—who acts as a mediator with Hamas—has facilitated the departure of around 1,100 individuals from Gaza via the Rafah border crossing since Wednesday.

At present:

• A recurrent loss of telecommunications in Gaza has been reported while Israeli forces encircle Gaza City.
• The families of Israeli captives voice concerns over being forgotten by the world.
• Revealed figures display the staggering impact of the conflict.
• A U.N. representative cites severe sustenance limitations for Palestinians in Gaza.

Explore more at AP’s dedicated webpage.

Recent Developments in the Israel-Hamas Conflict:

U.N. Security Council Convenes for Private Discussion on Conflict

The U.N. Security Council has arranged for a private meeting to deliberate on the conflict this Monday afternoon. The meeting comes upon requests from China, currently presiding over the council, and the United Arab Emirates, representing Arab nations.

Australians Evacuated from Gaza Reach Sydney

In Sydney, Australian nationals who escaped the hostilities in Gaza touched down on Sunday, journeying via the Rafah border crossing into Egypt earlier last week.

Sara El-Masry, one of the evacuees, expressed her profound relief to Nine News at Sydney Airport, stating the immense significance of their safe arrival and the chance to reunite with their families. She had harbored doubts about her survival during the conflict.

The Australian government is actively working to facilitate the exit of additional Australians from Gaza, with an estimated 67 citizens and residents, along with their families, still seeking assistance.

U.S. Military Discloses Deployment of Submarine in Middle East

The U.S. military has openly acknowledged the positioning of a nuclear-capable submarine in the Middle East. The details remain limited, but an image released seems to show the vessel traversing Egypt’s Suez Canal near the Suez Canal Bridge.

The publicizing of an Ohio-class submarine’s location is a rare occurrence, given their role in America’s strategic “nuclear triad.” Despite some Ohio-class submarines being equipped for non-nuclear missions, it is uncertain if this particular submarine carries nuclear ballistic missiles.

Amid heightened tensions with Iran, the U.S. has previously dispatched submarines to the region, and the recent acknowledgment coincides with an image of a nuclear-capable B-1 bomber released by Central Command, also operating in the Middle East.

Calls for an Immediate Ceasefire by U.N. Agencies and Aid Groups

Top officials from eleven U.N. agencies and several humanitarian organizations have united to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. They emphasize the need to safeguard civilians and urgently permit the entry of essential supplies such as food and medical aid.

The recent offensive on October 7 by Hamas, which administers Gaza and is officially recognized by various nations and international bodies as a terrorist organization, has been described as “horrific” by these agencies. However, they also vehemently criticize the subsequent severe civilian casualties in Gaza and the blockade that restricts access to vital resources.

Hospitals are currently overwhelmed, with more than 23,000 people requiring immediate medical care. The aid organizations report an unprecedented number of attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel, including the deaths of numerous UNRWA staff members.

Jordan Delivers Aid to Gaza, Calls for Ceasefire

A Jordanian military cargo plane loaded with medical supplies landed in Marka International Airport as part of an aid mission to Gaza. The Jordanian government has reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire and the necessity of providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the region.

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