ANKARA: On Friday, the Israeli army announced the initiation of a “military offensive” in the southern Gaza Strip area of Khan Younis. According to the Israeli army’s statement, the operation is based on intelligence suggesting the presence of Hamas and Islamic Jihad infrastructure and operatives in the region. The area, already heavily populated by displaced civilians, has previously been targeted under similar justifications. This latest escalation follows ongoing international appeals for a cease-fire and hostilities cessation from mediators including Egypt, the United States, and Qatar. Despite these efforts, Israel has continued its aggressive stance in the Gaza Strip.
The situation has become increasingly dire with broader regional implications. The conflict’s intensity has heightened concerns about a wider regional war. Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, has threatened military retaliation in response to the assassination of its senior commander, Fuad Shukr, in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut on July 30. Additionally, Iran has warned of retaliation following the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, an act attributed to Israeli forces.
The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza has led to significant casualties, with nearly 39,700 reported dead since the outbreak of hostilities last October, following a cross-border attack by Hamas. The International Court of Justice has accused Israel of genocide, demanding an immediate halt to its military actions in the southern city of Rafah, which had become a refuge for over 1 million Palestinians before being invaded on May 6. This relentless conflict underscores the escalating humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for a resolution to prevent further loss of life and regional instability.
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