ISLAMABAD: Israel’s military stated that it was preparing for “unrelenting attacks” to dismantle Hamas, while former US President Barack Obama cautioned that “any Israeli military strategy that disregards the human costs could ultimately have negative consequences.”
The Palestinian health ministry reported that in two weeks of strikes, at least 5,087 Palestinians, including 2,055 children, have been killed. Israel conducted airstrikes in Gaza and engaged in raids against Hamas fighters, while Hamas released two Israeli women who were among the hostages taken on October 7.
Israeli Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi stated that Israel does not intend to reduce its strikes on Gaza and is prepared for a potential ground assault. The United States publicly supports Israel’s right to self-defense but has privately urged caution in conversations with the Israelis.
The U.S. priority is to secure the release of other hostages before discussing a ceasefire, as mentioned by President Joe Biden.
Obama’s warning to Israel
It’s not immediately clear if Obama coordinated his statement with Biden, who served as his vice president. The White House has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Obama expressed concern about the Israeli government’s decision to cut off essential supplies to a civilian population, warning that it could exacerbate a growing humanitarian crisis and have long-term negative consequences for the region.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to attend a UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East, but it’s unclear what actions, if any, the council will take, as the five veto-wielding powers on the council appear divided.
Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza have allowed China and Russia to strengthen their positions as champions of the developing world, in contrast to the United States, which has firmly supported Israel. All three major powers hold vetoes on the Security Council.
Gaza’s health ministry reported that 436 people were killed in airstrikes over a 24-hour period, mostly in the southern part of the coastal enclave where Israeli troops and tanks have gathered for a potential ground invasion.
The Israeli military claimed to have targeted over 320 sites in Gaza during this 24-hour period, including a tunnel used by Hamas fighters, numerous command and lookout posts, as well as mortar and anti-tank missile launcher positions.
The Israeli military claimed to have targeted a Hamas site in Gaza’s Al-Shati refugee camp, but the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza reported that the attack killed or wounded dozens of people on Monday.
With Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people facing shortages of essential supplies, European leaders seemed poised to join the United Nations and Arab nations in calling for a “humanitarian pause” in hostilities to facilitate aid delivery.
A humanitarian convoy delivered water, food, and medicine to the Gaza Strip on Monday, marking the third such delivery since aid operations began on Saturday. However, the United Nations noted that fuel was not included, and reserves are expected to run out within two days.
The UN also pointed out that desperate Gazans lacked adequate shelter from the ongoing attacks that have severely impacted the Hamas-ruled enclave.
