Israel’s military intensified its ground operations across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, particularly focusing on Rafah city, as the conflict in the region continues into its second week. In a bid to minimize civilian casualties, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued warnings for Palestinians to evacuate areas designated as “combat zones,” including parts of the Tal al-Sultan district in Rafah. Military spokesman Avichay Adraee announced that the offensive aimed to “strike the terrorist organizations” operating in the region. The urgency of the situation was conveyed through messages shared on social media and distributed via leaflets dropped from drones.
Conditions on the ground in Gaza have rapidly deteriorated, especially amid ongoing closures of critical crossings and disruptions to humanitarian aid. Residents are grappling with severe shortages of food and medical supplies, exacerbated by the closure of aid routes and the suspension of salaries for many due to the ongoing hostilities. A charity kitchen in Khan Yunis reported a distressing increase in demand for food as residents struggle to feed their families amid the crisis.
The humanitarian situation is compounded by the Israeli government’s actions to halt electricity supplies to Gaza, cutting power to vital infrastructure, including water desalination plants. This has heightened the suffering of the 2.4 million residents dependent on these services. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, recently stated that the military has been instructed to seize more territory within Gaza, explicitly warning that annexation could follow if Hamas does not comply with Israel’s demands regarding a potential ceasefire.
Amid these developments, the conflict has also spilled over into Lebanon, with Israeli airstrikes targeting locations associated with Hezbollah, a group allied with Hamas. The Lebanese health ministry reported casualties from these strikes, which have increased tensions in the region, prompting fears of a broader conflict.
Israel’s military operations have reportedly resulted in significant losses among Hamas leadership. Recent airstrikes led to the deaths of senior Hamas official Salah al-Bardawil and his wife in Khan Yunis, marking a continued effort to target the organization’s key figures. This comes as Israeli air forces have been actively engaged in striking various Hamas targets across Gaza, including during the intensified hostilities that resumed earlier in the week.
A widespread humanitarian crisis continues to unfold as protests erupt within Israel, with demonstrators calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to cease military actions and prioritize the return of hostages taken by Hamas during the conflict. The violence has already resulted in substantial casualties, with Israeli reports indicating over 1,200 deaths since the beginning of the renewed clashes, largely among civilians. Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza has spiraled to nearly 50,000 according to health officials in the territory, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe facing its residents.
