The Israeli military has increased its bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip after a truce between Israel and Hamas collapsed. Hamas violated the terms of the agreement, leading to the renewed hostilities. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that over 400 terrorist targets in Gaza have been struck, including an Islamic Jihad operational command center inside a mosque. Military targets used by Hamas Naval Force were also hit.
In response to the escalating violence, hundreds of Gaza residents have been seen leaving the western part of Khan Yunis. The Israeli army dropped leaflets in the area, warning people to evacuate. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo expressed his concerns about the resumption of fighting and emphasized the need to avoid civilian casualties during a conversation with Israel's president. Israeli President Isaac Herzog accused Hamas of blatantly violating the truce and skipped a scheduled speech at the COP28 climate summit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that the fight against Hamas would continue until all goals are achieved, including the return of abductees, the elimination of Hamas, and ensuring that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.
The current conflict began when Hamas launched a violent attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7. In response, Israel has been carrying out retaliatory strikes, resulting in a high number of casualties. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry claim that over 11,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the conflict.
As the situation in Gaza escalates, tensions between Israel and Hamas continue to rise. The international community has expressed concern about the resumption of violence and the need to protect civilian lives. The conflict shows no signs of abating, with both sides determined to achieve their objectives. The impact on the civilian population in Gaza is particularly concerning, and efforts to find a lasting solution must prioritize the protection of innocent lives.