In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Israel's military has called for the evacuation of over a million residents in Gaza City, with an anticipated ground invasion looming. This development follows a devastating attack by Hamas, a militant group, prompting grave humanitarian concerns, Reuters reports.
The United Nations expressed reservations about the feasibility of evacuating the city's residents, citing disrupted power supplies, dwindling food, and water resources after a week of retaliatory airstrikes and a comprehensive Israeli blockade.
Top U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have embarked on urgent diplomatic missions to Israel and neighboring countries amid growing fears that the conflict could further spill over. Iran, a key regional player, has cautioned of a response by its allies, including Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations are planned globally, raising concerns within Jewish communities about potential targeting. As the conflict's death toll surpasses 1,300 people, mostly civilians, anti-Israel protests have erupted in various locations, with individuals expressing solidarity with the Palestinians.
Israel's military, vowing to act "significantly" in the coming days, issued an evacuation call to the civilians of Gaza City, citing concerns about Hamas using them as human shields. While the military urged relocation for safety, there are limited signs of civilians leaving the city.
Amid these developments, the Palestinian envoy to Japan accused Israel of seeking to annihilate Gaza. The ongoing conflict is impacting a population primarily consisting of descendants of refugees who fled or were expelled from their homes in Israel during its establishment in 1948.
The Israeli government contends that the severity of attacks on its civilians necessitates the eradication of militant groups. A significant number of military targets were reportedly struck, including Hamas tunnels, military compounds, and weapons storage facilities.
As the situation escalates, the United Nations warned against the evacuation call for Gaza civilians, emphasizing the potential "devastating humanitarian consequences." This elicited a response from Israel, which urged the UN to condemn Hamas and support Israel's right to self-defense.
A ground invasion of the densely populated Gaza Strip, housing 2.3mn people, poses significant risks, particularly with Hamas holding hostages. Despite the evacuation call, there have been minimal signs of people leaving Gaza City. Israel has intensified its airstrikes, leading to mass displacement and a dire humanitarian situation.
Global diplomatic efforts are underway to address the crisis, with the U.S. and its allies urging restraint while recognizing Israel's security concerns. Diplomatic engagement extends to regional powers, such as Iran and Turkey, which are active in mediating the conflict. With the conflict showing no immediate signs of resolution, the situation remains deeply precarious, raising concerns about further escalation and its impact on the affected population.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)