Israel Threatens Lethal Retaliation as Gaza Violence Intensifies \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Israel is preparing a lethal response to a recent Iranian missile strike, according to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Meanwhile, heavy fighting in northern Gaza continues, leaving dozens dead and forcing hospitals to shut down. As Israel expands its operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, Prime Minister Netanyahu has warned Lebanon of severe consequences if it does not rise against Hezbollah.
Israel’s Threats and Gaza Violence: Quick Looks
- Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed a lethal and surprising retaliation against Iran following its missile strike on Israel.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu held a call with President Biden as the situation escalates.
- Heavy fighting in Gaza has resulted in dozens of deaths, threatening the operations of three hospitals.
- Hezbollah’s rocket attacks from Lebanon into Israel continue, killing civilians in Kiryat Shmona.
- Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza aims to prevent Hamas militants from regrouping, according to Israeli officials.
Deep Look:
Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, issued a stark warning on Wednesday regarding a forthcoming retaliation against Iran after its October 1 missile barrage. Gallant emphasized that the response would be “lethal” and “surprising,” targeting Iran for escalating the conflict. Gallant stated, “They won’t understand what happened and how. They will see the results.” His comments follow the Iranian missile strike that took place earlier this month, heightening tensions between the two nations.
Gallant’s statement comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held his first call in seven weeks with U.S. President Joe Biden. This conversation highlights the growing international concern over the rapidly escalating conflicts across the region, including Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Gaza and Lebanon.
Escalation in Gaza
The conflict in Gaza continues to devastate the region. Israeli military operations in northern Gaza have claimed the lives of dozens of people, according to local Palestinian officials. The city of Jabaliya, a major urban area in Gaza, has been the center of heavy fighting, with Israeli troops attempting to prevent Hamas militants from regrouping. This follows the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, which killed over 1,200 people in southern Israel and triggered the ongoing war.
Residents of Jabaliya describe dire conditions, with people trapped in their homes as drones and jets circle overhead, and heavy shelling fills the streets. “It’s like hell. We can’t get out,” said resident Mohamed Awda, noting that the bodies of victims lie in the streets, unretrieved because of the constant fighting.
Gaza’s Health Sector on the Brink of Collapse
The ongoing fighting has brought Gaza’s healthcare system to a breaking point. Kamal Adwan, Awda, and the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza are at risk of shutting down due to the intense combat. Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, confirmed that 16 people were killed in a strike on tents sheltering displaced Palestinians near Yemen Saeed hospital. The remaining hospitals are struggling to operate amid overwhelming casualties, lack of resources, and ongoing evacuations.
In addition, Israeli airstrikes have targeted civilian infrastructure, which has significantly impaired Gaza’s ability to provide essential services. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that dozens of bodies remain trapped under rubble and inaccessible areas. The U.N. has called for increased humanitarian access, warning that only two of the eight water wells in Jabaliya remain functional.
Lebanon Heats Up Amid Hezbollah Attacks
Israel’s northern border with Lebanon is also under heavy fire from Hezbollah forces, which have launched numerous rocket attacks on Israeli towns. On Wednesday, two people were killed in Kiryat Shmona from a Hezbollah rocket strike, while six more were injured in a stabbing in Hadera.
As the war between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies, Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Lebanon, threatening the country with the same fate as Gaza if its people do not rise against Hezbollah. Israel’s military operations have expanded to target Hezbollah rocket launchers and military sites, significantly increasing the violence in the region.
Iran’s Role in the Escalation
The October 1 missile strike by Iran has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing conflicts. President Biden has cautioned Israel against retaliating by targeting Iranian nuclear sites, given the risk of further regional destabilization. Despite this, Gallant’s rhetoric suggests Israel is planning a decisive and powerful response to Iran’s actions.
The United States has played a key role in fending off Iran’s missile barrage, and Biden’s administration is now deeply involved in navigating this multi-front conflict involving Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. Biden has reiterated that while he supports Israel’s right to self-defense, it must avoid actions that could lead to a wider regional war.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza
The war has displaced an estimated 90% of Gaza’s population, forcing people into squalid shelters in southern Gaza. Despite Israeli instructions to evacuate north Gaza, many residents, like Ahmed Qamar, refuse to leave, fearing displacement and permanent loss of their homes. Qamar stated, “People here say clearly that they will die here in northern Gaza and won’t go to southern Gaza.”
The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees has evacuated several schools that were being used as shelters and raised concerns over the mass displacement of people in northern Gaza. The crisis is compounded by the lack of humanitarian aid entering the region since October 1, severely restricting access to food, water, and medical supplies.
Continued Violence Across the Region
As Israel prepares for a potential retaliatory strike on Iran, it continues its military operations in Lebanon. Israeli airstrikes recently killed four people and wounded several others in Wardaniyeh, a southern Lebanese town. The strikes followed Hezbollah’s increased rocket attacks, which have seen 12,000 rockets, missiles, and drones launched at Israel over the past year.
The growing violence in Gaza, Lebanon, and Israel shows no signs of abating, with more than 42,000 Palestinians reportedly killed since the start of the conflict. As Israel aims for “total victory” over Hamas and Hezbollah, civilians on all sides are left to bear the brunt of the devastation.
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