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Arab nations and US divided on Gaza ceasefire. A recent Israeli strike on a refugee camp in central Gaza resulted in the tragic death of more than 30 individuals on Saturday night. The conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas has entered its fifth week, showing no signs of de-escalation.
As Arab nations and US divided on Gaza ceasefire, here are the 8 points:
- Diplomatic Efforts Amidst Escalating Tensions: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, currently on a diplomatic tour in the Middle East, faces mounting criticism in meetings with Arab leaders. Blinken emphasized US support for “humanitarian pauses” to prevent civilian casualties, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the possibility of a ceasefire.
- Humanitarian Concerns and Suspended Evacuations: Hamas announced the suspension of ongoing foreigner evacuations from Gaza until wounded Palestinians can escape the besieged territory. They aim to reach Egypt for medical treatment via the Rafah border crossing.
- Devastating Toll on Gazan Civilians: The Gaza health ministry, under Hamas control, reported over 9,480 casualties, primarily women and children, due to Israeli airstrikes. Among the incidents, an Israeli strike on a United Nations school sheltering thousands resulted in at least 12 casualties. UN Chief Antonio Guterres expressed horror over an Israeli attack on a convoy of ambulances in Gaza.
- Global Outcry and Diplomatic Fallout: The civilian casualties in Gaza have sparked international anti-Israeli protests and strained Israel’s diplomatic relations. Turkey recalled its ambassador from Israel, and Jordan had taken a similar step earlier.
- Turkish President’s Accusation: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held Netanyahu personally accountable for the loss of innocent lives in Gaza, stating that Netanyahu was no longer a viable dialogue partner.
- Israeli Military Operations: Israeli Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi visited ground forces surrounding Gaza City, while Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that their forces were engaged in intense combat, operating from multiple directions, including populated areas.
- Gaza City Under Siege: Despite being labeled as the “center of the Hamas terror organization” by Israel, Gaza City still houses between 350,000 to 400,000 civilians, according to US special envoy for aid assistance David Satterfield.
- Israel’s Determination: Israel has vowed to obliterate Hamas completely, seeking retribution for an earlier attack on October 7 that claimed 1,400 lives, predominantly civilians. Israel claimed to have struck 12,000 targets across Palestinian territory, describing the campaign as one of the most intense bombing efforts in history.
