Image Credits : Washington Post
The Israeli army has intensified its military operations in Gaza, ordering new evacuations from central areas, specifically Deir el-Balah near Khan Younis. This move signals a shift in Israel’s ground operations from southern to central Gaza, as confirmed by reports on the ground.
The ongoing conflict continues to take a heavy toll on the region’s civilian population, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting that at least 50 Palestinians have been killed and 124 people have been injured in the last 24 hours as a result of Israeli strikes.
In a separate development, Israel has claimed responsibility for a drone strike in Sidon, Lebanon, which resulted in the assassination of Khalil al-Muqdah, a commander in the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. The Israeli military alleged that al-Muqdah was involved in smuggling weapons into the occupied West Bank in coordination with Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The military stated its intent to continue targeting Lebanon-based individuals who are directing “terrorist activity” in the West Bank.
A senior Fatah official, Tawfiq Tirawy, has accused Israel of deliberately assassinating al-Muqdah to provoke a larger regional conflict. Tirawy told AFP news agency that this assassination “is further proof that Israel wants to ignite a full-scale war in the region.” The broader implications of Israel’s actions are seen as potentially inflaming tensions across the Middle East, with significant consequences for regional stability.
The conflict’s human toll continues to rise dramatically. According to recent reports, over 40,223 people have been killed and 92,981 wounded in Gaza as a result of Israel’s military actions. The Hamas-led attacks on October 7 in Israel resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,139 people, and over 200 individuals were taken hostage. Additionally, Israel’s military operations in Lebanon during the Gaza conflict have resulted in the deaths of over 600 people, including more than 130 civilians.
Amidst these developments, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded his Middle East tour without securing a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. He emphasized the need for all parties to promptly finalize the Gaza ceasefire agreement, highlighting the critical urgency of the situation.