GAZA CITY: Israel launched a fresh barrage of deadly airstrikes on southern Gaza on Thursday, vowing a powerful military operation in the overcrowded city of Rafah, despite mounting international condemnation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adamant on achieving what he termed as “complete victory,” declared the continuation of the offensive into Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have sought refuge near the Egyptian border.
“We were displaced from Gaza City to the south,” expressed Ahlam Abu Assi, reflecting the plight of many Palestinians, as Israel continues to destroy their homeland. “There is no safe place for us.”
International Concerns Over Israeli Aggression in Gaza
Despite international appeals urging restraint, including a joint statement from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand warning against a ground offensive in Rafah, Israel remains undeterred to launch a powerful operation in Rafah.
Meanwhile, ceasefire talks in Cairo, involving negotiators from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, entered a third day, with efforts aimed at halting the bloodshed and securing the release of approximately 130 hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.
However, prospects for an immediate breakthrough seem dim as Israeli PM Netanyahu’s office stated that no new proposals for hostage release have been received.
Meanwhile, hospitals in Gaza, already overwhelmed by the relentless Israeli onslaught, face dire conditions, with the besieged Nasser Hospital witnessing heavy shelling, exacerbating an already critical humanitarian crisis.
