Israeli military forces have been targeted by militants in Gaza amid preparations for a potential US-led humanitarian mission, highlighting the ever-present volatility in the region. In recent developments, Gaza-based militants launched an attack against Israeli forces massed near the Gaza Strip’s southern city of Rafah, where Israel has been carrying out near-daily raids in response to an offensive by the city’s dominant faction, Hamas.
According to Palestinian hospital officials, Israeli airstrikes on Rafah resulted in at least five fatalities, further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. The majority of Rafah’s population, accounting for more than half of the territory’s 2.3 million residents, have sought refuge there, with Israel escalating its military presence in anticipation of a larger incursion into the city.
Central Gaza also experienced violence, with four individuals reported killed by Israeli tank shelling. This comes alongside a broader context of regional unrest, with a ship in the Gulf of Aden falling under attack in an incident likely tied to Yemen’s Houthi rebels’ campaign linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
On the diplomatic front, a senior Hamas political figure expressed the group’s willingness to agree to a significant truce with Israel. The proposed ceasefire of five years or more highlights a potential opening for de-escalation, although the backdrop of violence complicates these efforts.
The toll of the war on Gaza’s population has been devastating, with local health officials reporting more than 34,000 Palestinian deaths, approximately two-thirds of whom are children and women. The United Nations warns that northern Gaza is on the brink of famine, as critical aid deliveries remain insufficient despite Israel’s commitments to expedite the process. Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the World Food Program, expressed concern that more needs to be done to prevent a famine, despite some progress in food distribution through the reopening of bakeries in Gaza.
While Israel asserts it is preparing a civilian evacuation plan ahead of any operation in Rafah, international apprehension persists over the potential for significant civilian casualties. This concern is echoed by the UK’s new sanctions on Iran, aimed at deterring further attacks and holding Iran accountable for its aggression towards Israel.
The US, alongside 17 other countries, has issued a call for Hamas to release all hostages held in Gaza, emphasizing the international concern over their fate and the civilian population, who are protected under international law.
In Washington, President Biden met with Abigail Edan, a young girl orphaned and kidnapped by Hamas, before she was released. This meeting underscored the heightened US engagement in securing the release of additional hostages and advancing ceasefire talks.
Meanwhile, a U.S.-led project to construct a pier for aid delivery in Gaza came under fire, illustrating the challenges of implementing such humanitarian missions in conflict zones. The attack, which caused no injuries.
Relevant articles:
– Gaza-based militants attack Israeli forces preparing for US pier, politico.com, 04/26/2024
– Mortar attack on Gaza coast spotlights risk to U.S. pier mission, The Washington Post, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 02:26:00 GMT
– Egyptian Delegation Set to Arrive in Israel on Friday to Jumpstart Cease-fire, Hostage Talks – Israel News – Haaretz.com, Haaretz, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 02:39:00 GMT
– Israel widens strikes, orders more evacuations in north of Gaza, Voice of America – VOA News, Tue, 23 Apr 2024 11:00:11 GMT