Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Cause Devastating Casualties Overnight

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Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Cause Devastating Casualties Overnight \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed at least 20 people, with a deadly attack in a supposed humanitarian safe zone. UN peacekeepers reported Israeli military actions destroying homes in southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Israel continue exchanges amid ongoing hostilities in Gaza.

Gaza Airstrikes and Conflict Quick Looks:

Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza: At least 20 Palestinians, including children, killed overnight; Nasser Hospital confirmed the casualties.
Targeting Safe Zones: A camp in the Muwasi area, designated as a humanitarian zone, was hit, killing eight.
Escalation Since October 2023: The war began after Hamas’ attack on Israel, sparking a massive Israeli offensive.
UN Observations in Lebanon: Peacekeepers documented Israeli military’s home demolitions and flag placements in Lebanon.
Violations of Ceasefire: Israeli forces continue operations, causing casualties and property damage in southern villages.
Hostage Negotiation Progress: Israeli PM Netanyahu hints at “some progress” in efforts for a ceasefire and hostage return.

Deep Look

Deadly Airstrikes Devastate Gaza Amid Rising Casualties

The Gaza Strip endured another tragic escalation as Israeli airstrikes killed at least 20 Palestinians overnight, according to medical sources on Monday. Among the dead were eight people, including two children, who were killed in the Muwasi area. The region, previously designated by Israel as a humanitarian safe zone, has come under repeated bombardment, highlighting the intensifying danger for civilians. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported receiving the bodies, reflecting the growing toll of the conflict.

The Israeli military insists its strikes target Hamas militants and accuses the group of embedding its operations within civilian areas. One strike late Sunday reportedly aimed at a Hamas operative in the humanitarian zone. However, such actions have drawn international condemnation as civilian casualties mount.

This conflict, rooted in Hamas’ surprise assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, continues to escalate. The initial attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and the capture of around 250 hostages by Hamas militants. The war has since expanded, with Israeli air and ground offensives killing over 45,200 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Women and children represent more than half of the fatalities, though the numbers do not differentiate between civilians and combatants. The Israeli military claims it has killed over 17,000 Hamas fighters but has not provided independent verification of this figure.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens daily as airstrikes devastate densely populated areas, cutting off access to essential services. Reports from medical and humanitarian organizations describe a collapsing healthcare system, mass displacement, and shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.

Lebanon and the UN Raise Alarms Over Israeli Actions

The conflict’s spillover effects are becoming increasingly evident in southern Lebanon, where the United Nations peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, reported alarming developments. The mission highlighted the Israeli military’s actions, including the destruction of residential areas, road blockages, and continued operations near Naqoura. UNIFIL’s spokesperson, Kandice Ardiel, confirmed that peacekeepers observed an Israeli flag planted within Lebanese territory, marking a violation of Resolution 1701. This resolution, established after the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict, requires Israeli forces to withdraw from Lebanon and maintain peace in the region.

Despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire signed on November 27, Israeli forces have conducted daily military operations in southern Lebanon, leading to civilian casualties and extensive property damage. At least 27 people have died, and over 30 have been wounded since the ceasefire took effect. In one incident, an airstrike destroyed a mosque, further inflaming tensions.

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, visited the region on Monday alongside army chief Joseph Aoun and UNIFIL’s head of mission, Aroldo Lazaro. Mikati called for Israel’s immediate withdrawal to allow Lebanese forces to secure the area and uphold the terms of the ceasefire. However, Hezbollah’s continued presence in southern Lebanon complicates the Lebanese military’s efforts to assume control fully.

Widening Regional Tensions: Yemen and Beyond

The war has also spurred increasing attacks from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have launched over 200 missiles and drones toward Israel and international shipping routes. On Monday, Israel intercepted a drone from Yemen, marking the latest in a series of provocations. These attacks follow a Houthi missile strike on Tel Aviv last week that injured 16 people and prompted retaliatory airstrikes by Israel and the United States on Yemen.

The Houthis, who frame their actions as support for Gaza, have also targeted shipping vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Their leaders have stated that the assaults will persist until a ceasefire is reached in Gaza. The U.S. and European forces have increased patrols in the region, yet the attacks underscore the expanding scope of the Israel-Hamas war.

Hostage Negotiations Offer a Glimmer of Hope

Amid the chaos, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu provided cautious optimism regarding efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza. Speaking in the Knesset, Netanyahu noted “some progress” in negotiations but declined to offer specifics or a timeline.

Of the roughly 250 hostages taken during Hamas’ October 7 raid, around 100 are believed to remain in Gaza. Israeli intelligence estimates that at least a third of these captives are deceased. Netanyahu attributed the progress in negotiations to relentless military pressure on Hamas and the weakening of its regional allies, including Hezbollah and Iran.

Netanyahu further claimed that Hamas had underestimated Israel’s ability to counteract support from its allies, stating, “Hamas hoped that Iran and Hezbollah would come to its aid, but they are busy licking their wounds from the blows we inflicted on them.”

West Bank Violence and Internal Palestinian Strife

In the occupied West Bank, tensions continue to rise. Palestinian security forces clashed with militants in Jenin, leading to the deaths of two security personnel over two days. The Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs parts of the West Bank, has faced accusations of attempting to disarm militants on behalf of Israel. These developments have fueled distrust among Palestinians, who see the PA as complicit in Israel’s occupation policies.

Militant groups in Jenin have called for a general strike in response to the PA’s actions. The volatile situation in the West Bank adds another layer of complexity to the broader conflict, as violence surges following Hamas’ attack and Israel’s subsequent military campaign.