In a moment of maximum intensity, the Israel is getting ready for a new phase of military operations in Gauze. The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, approved the framework of the next operational plan, but did not announce the timetable.
This plan, ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military council, aims to liberate all Israeli hostages and Hamas’ defeat. The Israeli army intends to occupy the city of Gaza and neighboring refugee camps, from the most densely populated areas of the pocket.
During Wednesday’s talks, the army presented current operations, including the attacks that began Tuesday in the Zeitun district. This area, as well as Tel al-Haua, have been a goal of repeated bombings in the last three days.
Severe bombings and complaints about ‘burnt land’ policy
According to Hamas, Israel is conducting “aggressive raids” in the city of Gaza, accompanied by mass bombings, exclusions and demolitions of housing. The Islamist movement denounces a “dangerous escalation” with the aim of imposing a “new reality on the field with violence”.
Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, 1,219 people have been killed in Israel, mainly civilians. In retaliation, Israeli operations have killed 61,599 people in Gaza, according to Hamas -controlled health ministry data and are considered reliable by the UN.
The heaviest account in one week
In the last 24 hours, Israeli bombings have claimed the lives of 123 people – the heaviest account of the last week. Night air attacks hit the eastern districts of Gaza, destroying several homes in Zeitun and Seza. Twelve people were killed in a single home attack, according to Al-Achley Hospital.
In the south, Israeli battle tanks destroyed houses in Han Younes. In the central part, nine civilians were killed while trying to receive humanitarian aid.
The Gaza Ministry of Health has also announced eight deaths of hunger and malnutrition, including three children, raising the total number to 235 from the beginning of the war.
New conversations in Cairo
Hamas’s head, Hamille al-Haja, met in Cairo on Wednesday with Egyptian mediators to discuss a ceasefire, the delivery of help and the ending of the sake in Gaza.
Egyptian officials have spoken of the possibility of a comprehensive agreement, in which Hamas will resign from Gaza’s rule and surrender its weapons.
A senior executive of the movement, citing Reuters, said Hamas was “open to all ideas” if Israel retires, but rejects the delivery of weapons before the occupation end.