The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern after reports that an ambulance was struck in the Gaza Strip, a claim conveyed by RIA News. He described the incident as deeply disturbing and said the scenes of injured and deceased individuals near Al-Shifa Hospital are heartbreaking for anyone witnessing them.
Guterres also stressed that the violence in the region does not erase the memory of Hamas’ attack on Israel. He called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held in Gaza and urged steps to protect civilian lives amid ongoing hostilities.
Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces announced the capture of a significant stronghold controlled by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, marking a notable development in the conflict. In the ensuing days, thousands of rockets were launched toward Israel, leading to the announcement of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. As the fighting intensified, militants reportedly crossed into Israeli territory, seizing military equipment and taking more than a hundred hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the nation is at war and vowed a robust response.
The IDF operation, termed Iron Swords, aimed to dismantle Hamas and degrade its capabilities. The Israeli Air Force targeted numerous Hamas sites across Gaza, while the National Security Council decided to restrict the flow of essential resources, including water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel, into the enclave. By October 13, reports indicated that the UN was advising the evacuation of about 1.1 million Palestinians to southern Gaza within 24 hours in preparation for a possible ground operation.
Analysts point to a combination of political, historical, and strategic factors behind the renewed flare-up in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, with many noting long-standing grievances and regional dynamics that continue to drive volatility in the area.