• 24 Israeli soldiers have been killed making it the largest single-day toll since October 7th.
• Israel’s operations in Khan Younis deepen raising concerns for the Nasser and El Amal hospitals.
The Israeli military has announced the encirclement of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip after the largest single-day toll in its three-month war. In response to the killing of 24 soldiers in the enclave, ground forces engaged in an operation, deepening their presence in the area. Describing Khan Younis as a stronghold of Hamas, the military detailed close-quarters combat, directed air strikes, and coordinated fire operations, resulting in the elimination of numerous militants. These operations will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Khan Younis. The city, initially designated as a safe zone for evacuees, is now marked by extreme shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. The Israeli forces reportedly killed at least 65 people in attacks on Khan Younis on Monday.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health raised alarms about the extreme danger facing Nasser Hospital and El Amal City Hospital in Khan Younis due to Israeli bombardment. The buildings of the Nasser Medical Complex are exposed to shrapnel, endangering the lives of patients, staff, and displaced people. Urgent intervention is sought to safeguard these facilities. The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported Israeli drones targeting anyone around El Amal Hospital, hindering ambulance access to the injured. In the midst of these challenges, Leo Cans, head of mission for Palestine with Doctors Without Borders, highlighted the impact on healthcare workers. Approximately 20% of healthcare workers in Nasser Hospital are still on duty, with many forced to flee for their safety.
An Israeli military spokesperson revealed that 21 soldiers were killed in an explosion in central Gaza, while three soldiers died in a separate attack in southern Gaza on Monday. With at least 217 soldiers killed since the ground offensive began, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared determination to continue fighting until absolute victory. However, discontent with Netanyahu’s war strategy is emerging, as former military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot noted the campaign’s failure to achieve its aims of dismantling Hamas.
However, is “dismantling Hamas” really the aim of Netanyahu? Netanyahu’s intentions still remain unclear given the fact that he will even defy his biggest supporter (The USA) in saying that a Palestinian state shouldn’t even exist. Many supporters of the occupying force, Israel, claim that Hamas is inciting genocide against Jewish people for saying “from the river to the sea”. The question remains, why is this standard not applied to countless Israeli officials including Netanyahu himself saying that a Palestinian state shouldn’t exist. Is this not inciting genocide?
Israel’s defiance to The USA is also interesting given the fact that Israel’s existence depends greatly on The USA. Furthermore, people living in western countries should question whether Israel is “protecting their interests in the Middle East”, as Joe Biden put it, or are western countries protecting Israel’s interests. The USA and The UK has gone to the extent of bombing Yemen to target the Houthis, this was done out of “self-defence” according to Rishi Sunak, One must wonder if the Palestinians have a right to defend themselves as well.
