Israeli airstrikes continue to devastate Gaza after President Biden strongly supported Israel during his visit to Tel Aviv amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas militants.
Tensions in the region remained palpable on Thursday, with Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza prompting mounting concern.
Rocket Misfire or Israeli Responsibility
The situation was further exacerbated by conflicting narratives surrounding the tragic incident at the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday night, where Palestinian officials claimed that an explosion resulted in the deaths of hundreds.
U.S. and Israeli officials, including President Biden, maintained that evidence pointed to the explosion being caused by a rocket misfire from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group, falling short of its intended target. Nonetheless, many in the region continued to attribute the carnage to the Israeli military, further fueling the volatile situation.
Protests erupted across the Middle East in response to the devastating explosion, with demonstrations taking place in Tunisia, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, and Morocco. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, reports emerged of two Palestinian teenagers allegedly shot dead by Israeli forces, a claim that the Israeli military stated it would investigate.
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Israel’s Defense Minister Signals Readiness for Invasion
President Biden affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, which has maintained control over the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades. However, he urged Israel to exercise caution, warning against impulsive wartime decisions that could lead to unintended consequences.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, visited troops amassed near the Gaza border, instructing them to prepare for a potential invasion. The timing of such an operation remained uncertain.
While President Biden secured Israel’s commitment to cease bombing the area around Egypt’s Rafah border crossing with Gaza to facilitate the much-needed flow of humanitarian aid, it was unclear when the border would open. Meanwhile, Gaza’s beleaguered population endured Israeli missile strikes, causing further distress and destruction.
As of Thursday, health officials in Gaza, controlled by Hamas, reported that Israeli airstrikes had claimed the lives of nearly 3,800 people and left almost 12,500 others wounded, with a significant number being women and children. In Israel, officials indicated that Hamas attacks had killed approximately 1,400 people and injured 3,500 more.
The US State Department confirmed that the death toll included 32 Americans, with 11 U.S. citizens still unaccounted for, as efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas remained ongoing.
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