Israeli military actions in Gaza, particularly in the towns of Rafah and Khan Younis, have intensified, causing widespread displacement and concern. Despite the escalating situation, Gazans find their avenues of escape limited, with Egypt not allowing passage across its border.
Amidst heavy combat in Khan Younis, tens of thousands flee, contributing to the over 80% of Gaza's population already displaced. This has prompted United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to invoke Article 99, signaling a potential "humanitarian catastrophe" and calling for a cease-fire - a rare move not seen in other conflicts, which some interpret as showing a double standard against Israel. Adding to this is the fact that the IDF published proof today that UN humanitarian zones are being used still for terror, with rockets fired from the displacement camps adjacent to UN infrastructure.
UN Sec-Gen Guterres has โreached a new moral lowโ signalling support for Hamas,invoking a rarely used clause of the UN chapter to address the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
โ Rita Rosenfeld (@rheytah) December 7, 2023
He announced he was invoking Article 99 of the UN charter for the first time, citing the Gaza situation pic.twitter.com/SJ5DCO9Y6N
The U.S. has urged Israel to minimize civilian casualties, especially after significant destruction in Gaza City and the north. President Biden's administration, while supportive of Israel, appears poised to block any U.N. intervention. The evidence from the Israel Defense Forces will surely bolster the Israeli claim that the global body cannot be trusted to be an unbiased arbitor.
Israel's strategic focus is on dismantling Hamas' military capabilities and influence, particularly in Khan Younis, now seen as a central Hamas stronghold. This follows the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that sparked the current conflict.
All those who planned or executed the atrocities against Israelis on October 7 are dead men walking. Our troops are now operating in Khan Younis, the hometown of chief Hamas terrorist in Gaza, Yihyia Sinwar. https://t.co/TR02fUiyOA
โ Jonathan Conricus (@jconricus) December 7, 2023
However, civilian safety remains precarious, as Israeli strikes continue across Gaza. Recent attacks in Rafah have resulted in significant casualties, including women and children, according to local reports.
The Israeli military asserts its actions are responses to militant rocket fire, even demonstrating such activities near humanitarian zones in Rafah. It maintains that Hamas' use of civilian areas for military purposes contributes to the high civilian toll.
Gaza's Health Ministry reports over 16,200 deaths, predominantly women and children, and more than 42,000 injuries. The ministry does not separate civilian from combatant casualties.
Hamas' initial attack on Oct. 7 resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and numerous hostages, of which many remain in captivity. Israel's military campaign has led to significant militant casualties and the destruction of key infrastructure, including tunnels in Khan Younis.
Yesterday, at 15:59, Hamas terrorists launched 12 rockets toward Israeli civilians in the city of Beer-Sheva in southern Israel. The rockets were launched from near tents of evacuated Gazan civilians in Rafah in southern Gaza and from next to United Nations facilities. pic.twitter.com/TxOBkaECcW
โ ืืืืจ ืฆืืดื ืื ืืื ืืืจื - Daniel Hagari (@IDFSpokesperson) December 7, 2023
Despite the prolonged conflict, Hamas' leaders remain at large, and heavy fighting continues in areas like Jabaliya. Israel's military has reported the deaths of 88 soldiers and claims to have eliminated around 5,000 militants.
Israel accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields, a practice it says is responsible for the high civilian death toll in Gaza.
