CAIRO. Israel intensified its operations in Gaza by sending tanks into Rafah and predicted that the ongoing conflict with Hamas would persist throughout the year. This development comes after the United States indicated that the Rafah incursion did not constitute a major ground offensive, which would have altered U.S. policy.
Israeli tanks penetrated central Rafah on Tuesday for the first time, despite an International Court of Justice order demanding an end to attacks on the city. The World Court highlighted Israel’s failure to ensure the safety and provision of essential supplies to the evacuees from Rafah, while also calling on Hamas to release hostages taken during the October 7 assault immediately and unconditionally.
Local residents reported that Israeli tanks advanced into areas including Tel Al-Sultan in the west and Yibna and Shaboura in the center, before retreating to a buffer zone along the Egyptian border. Haitham al Hams, the deputy director of ambulance and emergency services in Rafah, noted distress calls from residents targeted by drones while moving towards designated safe areas.
In the midst of the conflict, Palestinian health officials reported 19 civilian deaths from Israeli airstrikes and shelling across Gaza. Israel maintains that Hamas militants are using civilians as shields, a claim that Hamas denies.
Majed Abu Raman, Gaza’s Health Minister, urged the U.S. to pressure Israel to open the Rafah crossing for aid, citing an urgent need for medical supplies as patients face life-threatening conditions due to lack of treatment.
An Israeli military official confirmed on Wednesday that forces had secured tactical control over the Philadelphi Corridor, a critical buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border. National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi emphasized that this control would prevent Hamas from smuggling weapons into Gaza and suggested that the conflict would continue into 2024. “The fighting in Rafah is not a pointless war,” Hanegbi stated, underscoring the objective to end Hamas rule in Gaza.
Despite these assertions, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the necessity for Israel to develop a post-war plan for Gaza to prevent future chaos and the resurgence of Hamas. The U.S., while opposing a large-scale ground offensive in Rafah, acknowledged that such an operation was not currently in progress.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed since the onset of the Israeli offensive. The conflict began after a deadly attack by Hamas-led militants on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the capture of over 250 hostages.
Ceasefire Negotiations Stalled
Efforts for a ceasefire continue to face challenges. Qatar, acting as a mediator, was expected to present Israel’s latest ceasefire and hostage release proposal to Hamas on Tuesday. However, Hamas has maintained that negotiations are futile unless Israel ceases its offensive on Rafah.
In Rafah, the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad reported engaging Israeli forces with anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs, causing significant damage. The Israeli military confirmed the death of three soldiers and injuries to three others due to an explosive device in Rafah.
Palestinian health officials also reported several injuries from Israeli fire, and the destruction of aid supplies in eastern Rafah due to ongoing bombardments. Ashraf Al-Qidra, a spokesperson for Gaza’s health ministry, called for the immediate establishment of safe corridors for fuel, medical aid, and medical teams in both Rafah and northern Gaza.
Approximately one million Palestinians have fled Rafah following Israeli evacuation orders, according to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. The Palestine Red Crescent Society also reported evacuating its medical teams from a designated civilian evacuation zone in Al-Mawasi due to continued bombardments.
In nearby Khan Younis, Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including Salama Baraka, a former senior Hamas police officer. Another strike killed four people, including two children. Meanwhile, in northern Gaza, Israeli forces continued shelling Gaza City neighborhoods and moved deeper into Jabalia, causing extensive destruction in residential areas.
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.
