ALBAWABA- Fighting continues to escalate across the Gaza Strip as both Palestinian resistance factions and Israeli forces report intensified operations, growing casualties, and international criticism.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced on Monday that its fighters targeted an Israeli armored personnel carrier (APC) with a powerful explosive device in Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Additionally, on July 21, the group claimed it struck a Merkava tank turret with a tandem warhead missile east of Jabalia in the north.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the ongoing military campaign, expressing condolences to the families of fallen soldiers and wishing the wounded a speedy recovery. He confirmed continued combat in Gaza, stating: “We are advancing in the fight and conducting negotiations to bring back the kidnapped. We will achieve our goal — to destroy Hamas.”
Netanyahu also criticized the United Nations, accusing it of spreading “lies and excuses” that hinder aid delivery, despite Israel maintaining that safe humanitarian corridors remain open. He reiterated that only a minimal amount of humanitarian aid should be allowed into Gaza.
Israeli military sources confirmed that the officer seriously wounded in a recent Gaza security incident was the commander of the Desert Patrol Battalion.
Meanwhile, internal political divisions emerged within Israel. Minister of Transportation Miri Regev stated that while she is uncomfortable with allowing aid into Gaza, it helps justify the ongoing war.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir harshly criticized the government’s decision to transfer humanitarian aid, calling it “moral bankruptcy.” He insisted that what should be sent to Gaza now is “bombs, raids, occupation, and encouragement of emigration.”
The IDF declared that “Operation Gideon’s Chariots” has achieved all its objectives in Gaza, without providing detailed outcomes.
International reactions have been sharply critical. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that Israel’s suspension of military operations to allow humanitarian corridors was “not sufficient to meet Gaza’s urgent needs.” French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna described the situation as “appalling” and “on the brink of catastrophe.”
U.S. State Department spokesperson Melissa Rogers told Fox News that the administration was “deeply disturbed” by scenes from Gaza. While President Trump downplayed the severity of the crisis, stating “I don’t think there’s a famine, it may be malnutrition, Hamas is stealing the aid,” he confirmed that the U.S. would provide more assistance, but called on other nations to join the effort.
“Israel must decide what happens in Gaza,” he added, “but Hamas must return the hostages — and we’ve gotten most of them back.”
Senator Chris Van Hollen, speaking to CBS, disputed Israeli claims that the UN was diverting aid to Hamas, calling it “a big lie.” He also criticized continued U.S. funding to organizations allegedly linked to Israeli military interests in Gaza, labeling them “mercenary-supported.”
