In a continued offensive against Hamas fighters in Gaza, Israel intensified its attacks on Saturday after the United States blocked a UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the two-month war. The US veto drew swift condemnation from Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting a death toll of 17,487, mostly women and children.
Israeli strikes on Khan Yunis and Rafah resulted in additional casualties, bringing the total displacement in Gaza to about 80% of the population, according to the UN. Humanitarian groups, including Doctors Without Borders, criticized the UN Security Council, describing it as “complicit in the ongoing slaughter.”
Israel’s military claimed to have targeted 450 locations in Gaza over 24 hours, while the death toll among medical workers rose. UN chief Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern, stating that the people of Gaza are facing a “spiraling humanitarian nightmare.”
The situation also escalated in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where six Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli forces. The death toll for Israeli soldiers in Gaza reached 91, with additional casualties reported in a failed hostage rescue attempt.
Amidst the conflict, the attack on the US embassy in Iraq raised fears of broader regional tensions. Rockets targeted the embassy in Baghdad’s Green Zone, contributing to concerns about a wider regional conflict. Additionally, an Israeli drone strike in southern Syria reportedly killed three Hezbollah fighters and a Syrian.
The international community, including the US National Security Council, called for efforts to reduce civilian casualties, emphasizing the need for Israel to protect civilians. With the situation rapidly deteriorating, there are growing concerns about the humanitarian impact and the potential for further escalation.
