In a recent development, Israel’s military has confirmed that infantry, backed by tanks, has carried out “localised raids” in the Gaza Strip. These smaller raids were aimed at targeting Hamas rocket crews and gathering valuable information regarding the location of hostages held since last Saturday, according to Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.
As tensions continue to escalate, Israel has issued warnings to over a million people in the northern region of Gaza, urging them to evacuate in anticipation of an upcoming ground operation. The Israeli government is taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of its citizens amidst the ongoing conflict.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has cautioned Israel against imposing a full-scale siege on Gaza, drawing parallels to the Nazi Germany’s siege of Leningrad during World War II. Putin expressed concerns that a ground offensive would result in an “absolutely unacceptable” number of civilian casualties. While acknowledging the gravity of the situation and Hamas’ cruel actions, Putin emphasised the need for a more measured response.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian United Nations envoy, Riyad Mansour, has appealed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, urging him to take further action to halt what he describes as a “crime against humanity” committed by Israel. Mansour expressed dissatisfaction with the current efforts and stressed the urgent need for collective action to address the crisis.
Mansour’s plea comes at a time when Israel continues its relentless airstrikes on Gaza for the seventh consecutive day, while also preparing for a potential ground offensive. The situation has led to a significant influx of displaced individuals, with Mansour referring to it as a “potentially a second nakba” or catastrophe, alluding to the displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s establishment.
However, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has raised concerns about the ability of humanitarian organisations to provide assistance to the 1.1 million people in Gaza who have been given a 24-hour evacuation notice by Israel. The ICRC states that with a military siege in place, aid organisations will face significant challenges in addressing the staggering needs of the displaced population.
