CAIRO. Israeli forces launched heavy strikes on the central Gaza Strip on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of at least nine Palestinians, according to local health officials. Meanwhile, Israeli tanks made a limited incursion into the northern part of Rafah in the south of Gaza.
The Gaza health ministry reported that over the past 24 hours, Israeli attacks have killed at least 81 Palestinians and injured 198. The ministry’s casualty count does not differentiate between militants and civilians.
In one of the most devastating strikes around midnight, an Israeli airstrike targeted a house in Al-Zawyda in central Gaza, killing eight people, according to health officials.
In Rafah, two people were killed in an airstrike, and tanks carried out a brief raid in the northern part of the city before retreating, a tactic Israeli forces have previously employed before launching deeper incursions.
The Israeli military stated that its troops are “continuing precise, intelligence-based operational activity in the Rafah area,” claiming to have eliminated a terrorist cell and a launcher used to fire at troops.
Additionally, the military reported that airstrikes had hit 25 targets across the Gaza Strip over the past day, and troops were operating in central Gaza to dismantle structures used for observing soldiers.
Despite nine months of conflict, Palestinian fighters led by Hamas continue to mount attacks on Israeli forces using anti-tank rockets, mortar bombs, and occasional rocket barrages into Israel.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, expressed confidence in the military’s progress, stating, “Operations in Gaza have led to the conditions necessary to achieve an agreement for the return of hostages.” Gallant made this remark during an overnight call with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Following a deadly attack by Hamas militants on October 7, which left 1,200 people dead and over 250 hostages taken, Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas. Israeli authorities claim that the military has since eliminated half of Hamas’ military leadership and either killed or captured about 14,000 fighters, which is roughly half the estimated fighting force of Hamas.
According to Gaza health authorities, Israel’s retaliatory offensive has resulted in at least 38,000 Palestinian deaths since the conflict began. Israel has reported 326 soldier fatalities in Gaza.
Mediation Efforts Stalled
Diplomatic efforts by Arab mediators, supported by the United States, to halt the hostilities appear to have stalled, though all parties, including Israel and Hamas, express openness to further talks. A potential deal aims to end the war and secure the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza in exchange for many Palestinians jailed by Israel.
On Wednesday, Israel released 13 Palestinians detained during the Gaza offensive, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported. However, many Palestinians released by Israel in recent months have accused Israeli forces of mistreatment and torture, allegations that Israel denies. The Palestinian Prisoner Association has claimed nearly 20 Palestinians have died in Israeli detention.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a 252-page report on Wednesday regarding the October 7 attack, accusing Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, and other Palestinian armed groups of committing “numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity.” These accusations include deliberate and indiscriminate attacks on civilians, inhumane treatment and killing of captives, sexual violence, hostage-taking, use of human shields, and looting.
The findings, based on interviews with survivors, rescue workers, and other witnesses, align with those of a recent UN inquiry, which concluded that both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes during the early stages of the Gaza conflict.
Hamas has rejected the HRW report, calling it “lies and blatant bias” and demanding its retraction and an apology. “The Human Rights Watch report adopted the entire Israeli narrative,” Hamas stated.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
