Devendra Kumar
Israeli forces are engaged in a fierce battle against Palestinian militants across the Gaza Strip, with heavy bombardment reported in parts of the north that the military had previously claimed to have cleared months ago. The city of Rafah, in southern Gaza, is being portrayed as Hamas’s last stronghold, with Israel stating that it must invade to dismantle the group and secure the release of hostages. However, the rest of the war-ravaged territory provides ample opportunities for Hamas to regroup, with Israel yet to offer a detailed plan for post-war governance in Gaza.
With the division between Israel and the United States, along with the fragmentation of the Palestinian Authority, Gaza has been left without a functioning government, leading to a breakdown in public order and allowing Hamas to reconstitute itself. Residents of the devastated Jabaliya refugee camp and other areas in the northern Gaza Strip reported intense and constant bombing overnight, with first responders unable to respond to multiple calls for help. The Palestinian Civil Defence stated that they were unable to respond to calls from both areas, as well as Rafah, where Israeli troops have been battling militants.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the top Israeli military spokesman, confirmed that troops are currently fighting in all parts of Gaza, including areas where they have not yet operated and in places where they have. The conflict has so far resulted in the deaths of over 34,800 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, with Israel claiming to have killed over 13,000 militants without providing evidence. In the meantime, the United Nations’ agency for Palestinian refugees has reported that 300,000 people have fled Rafah since the operation began, with most heading to already heavily damaged areas.
The prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has rejected post-war plans proposed by the United States for the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza with support from Arab and Muslim countries. Those plans depend on progress towards the creation of a Palestinian state, which is deeply opposed by Netanyahu’s government. Meanwhile, Palestinians have been protesting against the Israeli government and calling for the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, with tensions remaining high in the conflict-torn region.