The Gaza Strip remains far from peaceful nights as a large scale operation unfolds. Observers report one of the widest assaults seen in the enclave, with casualties mounting quickly. Hamas officials stated that hundreds have died in the morning hours, while the tally from Israeli airstrikes already surpasses that number. The Israeli military claims to have struck at least 400 military targets. In related developments, two groups of Palestinian militants released individuals on Monday night, including a notable human rights advocate in her eighties. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to receive a ceremonial welcome for visiting world leaders, including a French president who landed in Israel this week.
President Emmanuel Macron publicly expressed unwavering support for the Jewish state, urging that Israelis should not be left to fight terrorism alone. He described the attacks of October 7 as acts committed against Jews who aspire to live in peace and called for the immediate, non discriminatory release of hostages. During Macron’s visit, discussions were slated with Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, with particular attention to the families of French hostages and the Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas.
Reports from Washington indicate that U.S. officials have urged Israel to slow its timetable for a ground offensive in Gaza while negotiations on hostage release continue. The New York Times has published analyses outlining the timing and potential scope of a broader operation. The U.S. administration has raised questions about postwar governance in Gaza, the humanitarian consequences for prisoners, and the wider implications of a possible clash between Israel and groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
Families taken and shattered
As the conflict escalates, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire and widely condemned. The health authorities in Gaza reported that a large number of people remain unaccounted after the collapse of buildings, including a significant number of children. Displacement figures are staggering, with nearly one and a half million residents forced to flee homes that no longer stand. The ongoing crisis has prompted fears of a renewed displacement crisis, evoking memories of past events in the region.
Scenes of desolation touch every neighborhood, with cemeteries filling and families burying loved ones amid ongoing bombardment. In some areas, the fear is palpable as communities confront long days awaiting safety and news. The toll on children is a critical concern, with families reporting that the youngest victims face dangerous conditions as the city endures repeated strikes. Visitors and aid workers describe conditions inside shelters as crowded and tense, yet efforts to provide relief persist despite the danger.