Israel’s war against Hamas has entered its 25th day, three weeks after Hamas killed at least 1,400 Israelis and injured more than 3,300. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that at least 8,800 Palestinians have been killed.
The Israeli army stated that 15 soldiers had been killed in ground fighting, while another soldier was killed outside the territory, although the military did not elaborate. The total number of Israeli troops killed since October 7 is at least 331.
Hamas said that an Israeli strike on Jabaliya refugee camp on Tuesday had killed seven hostages, three of whom held foreign passports, in a claim that was impossible to verify independently.
Humanitarian Front
Hundreds of injured residents and foreigners escaped Gaza to Egypt, the first evacuations from the war-torn Palestinian territory pounded by Israeli warplanes in retaliation for an unprecedented Hamas attack.
Whole families, struggling to carry their worldly possessions, rushed through the heavily fortified crossing towards Egypt, which said it had admitted 335 foreigners or dual nationals and 76 seriously wounded and sick people.
The situation in Gaza remains desperate, with food, fuel and medicine running short for the 2.4 million residents, according to aid groups.
A Gaza official said that about 50 trucks carrying medicinal and food aid entered Gaza, among the biggest daily flows so far, but far less than what humanitarian groups say is needed.
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Military Developments
The Jabaliya camp in Gaza was struck for a second time in two days, with images from Wednesday’s strike showing extensive damage and rescuers clawing through rubble to extract blood-stained casualties.
Dozens were killed and wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. This happened a day after Israeli jets hit the camp, killing at least 47 people.
Hamas said that seven of the 240 hostages it is holding, including three foreign passport holders, had died in Tuesday’s bombing, a claim which is impossible to verify.
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Diplomatic Activity
With growing fears of a regional war, US President Joe Biden called for “urgent mechanisms” to dial down tensions, adding that top diplomat Antony Blinken would embark on another Middle East tour on Friday.
“Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi decided to immediately recall Jordan’s ambassador to Israel,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement that condemned “the ongoing Israeli war that is killing innocent people in Gaza and causing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.”
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Bolivia said on Tuesday that it was severing diplomatic ties with Israel over its “disproportionate” attacks in Gaza, as two other Latin American countries recalled their ambassadors over the mounting humanitarian crisis.
Turkey and Iran called for a regional conference to prevent a conflagration, as Israel faces a daily barrage of aerial attacks from Hamas and other Iran-backed groups around the Middle East, including Yemen’s Huthi rebels.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
