ALBAWABA - Ignoring growing calls to halt the military offensive in Rafah, Southern Gaza, Israeli prime minister to "finish the job" as War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz threatened to invade the southern city of Rafah if remaining Israeli hostages are not freed by the upcoming Ramadan.
The Israeli administration has not publicly considered a date for a ground attack in Rafah, where more than half of the enclave's 2.3 million Palestinians have taken safety. "If by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue to the Rafah area," Gantz told a conference of Jewish American leaders.
The United States said it still intends to mediate a cease-fire and hostage release agreement, as well as a broader agreement to end the war. The US has also stated that it will veto another draft UN resolution calling for a ceasefire, with its UN envoy warning against moves that may endanger "the opportunity for an enduring resolution of hostilities".
The planned timing of the Israeli ground offensive in Gaza comes as the World Health Organization announced that the only functioning major medical center in southern Gaza, Nasser Hospital, has ceased to operate due to a medical aid supply shortage.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that a WHO delegation was denied to access Nasser Hospital on Friday or Saturday. In a post on X, he stated that over 200 patients remain, including 20 who require urgent referrals outside Gaza.
Israeli brutal bombardment on Gaza continued overnight into Sunday, killing at least 18 Palestinians, according to doctors and witnesses. An attack in Rafah killed six people, including a lady and three children, while another killed five in Khan Younis, the primary focus of the southern Gaza onslaught in recent weeks. AP reported.
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The latest statistics by the Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed that the death toll from Israeli brutal pounding on the Gaza Strip since October 7 has soared to 28,985 people, with more than 68,883 injuries.
Since then, approximately 85% of Gazans have been displaced, all of whom are suffering from severe food insecurity, and the healthcare system has collapsed. Hundreds of thousands of people lack shelter, and aid trucks are entering the area at a lower rate than before the conflict began.
