RAFAH, Gaza Strip. Israeli troops made their way towards Gaza City on Thursday as the Palestinian death toll exceeded 9,000. With no immediate end to the weeks of intense conflict in sight, U.S. and Arab mediators escalated their efforts to alleviate the siege on the Hamas-controlled enclave, calling for a temporary ceasefire to aid civilians.
U.S. President Joe Biden proposed a humanitarian “pause” a day earlier, following an apparent agreement among the U.S., Egypt, Israel, and Qatar, which mediates with Hamas. This allowed hundreds of Palestinians with foreign passports and dozens of wounded individuals to leave Gaza for the first time, with more departing on Thursday.
Israel had not responded immediately to Biden’s proposal, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously ruled out a ceasefire. Arab nations, including those allied with the U.S. and Israel, expressed growing unease with the conflict. Jordan recalled its ambassador from Israel and insisted that Israel’s envoy stay out of the country until the war and the resulting “humanitarian catastrophe” come to a halt.
During the 25 days of fighting, over 3,700 Palestinian children lost their lives, and more than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents were displaced from their homes, with shortages of food, water, and fuel. Israeli forces increased their presence in Gaza after weeks of extensive airstrikes, which had devastated entire neighborhoods.
The conflict, the fifth and deadliest in Gaza’s history, began when Hamas launched a violent attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in numerous casualties and captives. The U.S. has reaffirmed its support for Israel as it seeks to end Hamas’ rule in Gaza and dismantle its military capabilities, despite lacking a clear plan for what comes next.
A temporary ceasefire could facilitate humanitarian aid delivery and hostage releases, according to White House officials. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to return to the region on Friday.
The departure of Palestinians through the Rafah crossing into Egypt followed weeks of negotiations, marking the first time that people left Gaza, apart from a few hostages released by Hamas and one rescued by Israeli forces. Although Israel permitted more than 260 trucks carrying food and medicine through the crossing, aid organizations deemed it insufficient.
Over 400 Americans and their families are being evacuated by the U.S. Egypt expressed concerns about an influx of Palestinian refugees, fearing that Israel might prevent their return after the war.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain in the conflict zone in northern Gaza, despite Israel’s repeated calls for them to evacuate to the southern region, which is also under bombardment.
Israeli troops seem to be advancing on Gaza City through three main routes, with little detailed information on their movements. Airstrikes have destroyed buildings, but the full extent of casualties remains unclear. Palestinian militants have continued to engage Israeli troops, while both sides anticipate rising casualties as Israeli forces move closer to Gaza City.
The death toll on the Palestinian side has reached over 9,000, with a significant number being women and children, while more than 32,000 people have been wounded. In the occupied West Bank, four Palestinians were killed early Thursday, adding to the over 130 killed in the region since the conflict began. An Israeli civilian also died from a suspected militant attack in the West Bank on Thursday.
On the Israeli side, over 1,400 people have lost their lives, primarily due to Hamas’ initial attack. Rocket fire from Gaza into Israel and ongoing clashes with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon have disrupted life for millions of Israelis.
Gaza residents face a dire situation with a territory-wide blackout, posing a threat to critical medical treatments. The World Health Organization has raised concerns about the lack of fuel for hospitals, and several healthcare facilities have been forced to close. The situation remains critical, with urgent appeals for fuel and electricity to sustain essential medical services.
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.
