Tightened Israeli Forces Surround Gaza Amidst Humanitarian Aid Discussions by U.S. Diplomacy

As U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken touches down in Israel this Friday, his agenda is focused on advocating for increased humanitarian aid to the beleaguered Gaza region. Concurrently, Israeli military forces are consolidating their positions around Gaza City, which has been identified as a strategic hub for the Hamas leadership.

The geopolitical atmosphere remains tense, particularly along the Lebanon-Israel border, where the anticipated public address by Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah has heightened concerns about the conflict potentially spreading throughout the region.

Hezbollah, which aligns with Hamas, mounted an offensive against Israeli posts on the northern frontier, deploying drones and mortars. The Israeli defense forces responded with air and helicopter strikes.

Since the onset of hostilities on October 7, Hezbollah’s strategic provocations have maintained pressure on Israel’s northern defenses, stopping short of triggering a full-scale war.

Casualties have been heavy in the region, with Palestinian deaths in Gaza surpassing 9,000 and the death toll in Israel reaching approximately 1,400, primarily civilians from the early assaults by Hamas.

Marking his third diplomatic mission to Israel since the conflict’s escalation, Blinken is slated to visit both Tel Aviv and Amman, Jordan. His visit follows President Joe Biden’s proposal for a temporary cessation of hostilities to facilitate the provision of aid and the evacuation of foreign nationals and the injured. In the preceding 48 hours, approximately 800 individuals have been evacuated.

Israel has yet to formally respond to Biden’s proposal. However, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has asserted his government’s resolve to continue the campaign, with a stated objective of dismantling Hamas’s governance in Gaza.

In the wake of the Hamas attacks on October 7, which resulted in numerous casualties and hostages, the U.S. has reinforced its unwavering support for Israel. Prior to Blinken’s departure, the U.S. State Department reaffirmed America’s endorsement of Israel’s self-defense right.

Yet, amidst the backdrop of staunch military support, the U.S. is concurrently urging Israel to facilitate greater humanitarian assistance to Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating. Reports from the Gaza Health Ministry indicate that over 3,700 Palestinian children have perished in 25 days of conflict, with infrastructure destruction displacing over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million populace. The Israeli blockade has precipitated shortages in essential supplies, and the local healthcare system is on the brink of collapse.

While Israel has permitted entry for over 260 truckloads of food and medical supplies, aid groups argue that the assistance is inadequate. Israel continues to withhold fuel, alleging Hamas would divert it for military purposes.

The White House, through national security spokesman John Kirby, has advocated for not a general truce but a targeted and temporary cessation of combat.

The larger strategic question looms over what the future holds if Hamas’s control over Gaza is terminated, a subject expected to be on Blinken’s discussion list. The U.S. State Department has hinted at the possibility of the Palestinian Authority assuming governance over Gaza, despite being ousted by Hamas in 2007. Currently, the Palestinian Authority exercises limited jurisdiction in parts of the West Bank under Israeli occupation.

Israeli military sources confirm that their forces have completely encircled Gaza City, described as a densely populated area integral to Hamas’s military capabilities, housing an extensive network of subterranean facilities. The military is engaged in intense urban combat, with expectations of escalating casualties as operations push into the heart of Gaza City.

Residents in critical areas, such as the Shati refugee camp, have received dire warnings from Israeli leaflet drops to evacuate ahead of impending assaults on Hamas positions.

As the conflict continues, numerous Palestinians remain trapped in the line of fire, despite Israel’s evacuation directives. United Nations shelters, including schools in northern Gaza, have not been spared, with strikes leading to fatalities.

Beyond the 9,061 Palestinians reported killed in Gaza, the conflict has wounded over 32,000 individuals. In Israel, beyond the civilian casualties, the conflict has seen 19 Israeli soldiers killed since the ground operations commenced.

Rocket attacks from Gaza, coupled with ongoing encounters with Hezbollah forces, have disrupted life across Israel and prompted the evacuation of approximately 250,000 residents from border communities.

A small number of Palestinians holding foreign passports have managed to exit the conflict zone, utilizing the Rafah border crossing into Egypt. Among those evacuated are 79 Americans, with efforts underway to evacuate a total of 400 U.S. nationals and their families.

Egypt, while facilitating these evacuations, has stated it will not host a large influx of Palestinian refugees, fearing permanent displacement enforced by Israel.

Reported from Beirut by Mroue and from Bangkok by Rising, further details and ongoing coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict can be found at bigbignews.net/israel-hamas-war.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Israel-Gaza conflict

More about Israel-Gaza conflict

• U.S. Secretary of State’s Middle East Visit
• Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
• Israel-Hamas Conflict Escalation
• Hezbollah’s Role in the Conflict
• Casualty Figures and Civilian Impact
• International Response and Diplomacy
• Evacuations from Gaza
• US-Israel Relations and Defense Policy
• Military Operations in Gaza
• UNRWA and Shelters Under Fire