Gaza faces devastation as Israeli forces tighten grip amidst rising casualties

LIn the aftermath of a deadly attack by Hamas that ignited a two-month-long war, Israeli forces have intensified their operations in Gaza’s main cities.

The conflict has resulted in a staggering death toll of 17,177 people in Gaza, predominantly women and children, with vast areas reduced to a wasteland.

Israel, determined to dismantle the Islamist movement, has relentlessly bombarded Gaza, deploying tanks and ground troops since the war erupted on October 7.

Hamas, responsible for approximately 1,200 deaths and 138 hostages, according to Israel, continues to launch rockets towards Israeli territory.

The UN reports that about 80 percent of Gaza’s population has been displaced, grappling with severe shortages of food, fuel, water, and medicine, alongside the looming threat of disease.

On Friday, the health ministry reported an additional 40 casualties in strikes near Gaza City, with fighting intensifying in various districts.

The conflict has not been confined to Gaza, as the Israeli-occupied West Bank witnessed the death of six Palestinians on Friday. Israeli forces confirmed the killings during exchanges of fire, emphasizing their ongoing efforts against terrorists.

The situation further escalated with an attack in Iraq targeting the US embassy in Baghdad’s Green Zone.

This incident raised concerns about a broader conflict, marking the first attack against the US mission in Baghdad since the war began.

Amidst the chaos, thousands of Jordanians demonstrated near the US embassy in Amman, denouncing US support for Israel. The war’s impact is palpable, with Gazans pushed further south, turning Rafah into a vast camp for the displaced.

As the conflict rages on, international voices, including US President Joe Biden and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, emphasize the critical need to protect civilians.

The UN Security Council is set to meet after Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99, seeking a “humanitarian ceasefire” to prevent a catastrophe in the Middle East.

The World Health Organization underscores the dire humanitarian situation, warning that civilization is on the brink of breaking down. With only a fraction of the pre-war humanitarian aid entering Gaza, calls for Israel to adapt its military action and allow more aid intensify.

The Gaza war, which has claimed the lives of 91 Israeli soldiers, continues to cast a shadow over Israelis during the Hanukkah festival. Families and supporters of hostages marked the festival with a symbolic menorah lighting, representing each of the captives.

Meanwhile, investigations into strikes in southern Lebanon, resulting in the death of a Reuters journalist, point to potential war crimes. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch call for an investigation, challenging Israel’s assertion that the strikes occurred in an “active combat zone.”

The world watches as the conflict unfolds, with a growing urgency for a ceasefire to avert further human tragedy and preserve international peace and security.