The Israeli army, which currently controls 75 percent of the Gaza Strip, has launched a ground operation to occupy the city of Gaza.
According to army estimates, 70,000 people have been forced to flee from north to south in the past week. The Israeli government expects hundreds of thousands more to be displaced in the coming weeks.
Humanitarian situation worsens
In a statement on Wednesday, the Israeli army claimed that “there is no famine in Gaza.” However, according to the Gaza Strip Civil Defense Organization, 62 people were killed in Israeli attacks during the same day’s bombardments. Since the beginning of the war, at least 63,746 people have been killed in Israeli attacks, according to Palestinian sources.
21,000 children left disabled
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities reported that 21,000 children have been left permanently disabled since the start of the war. This number corresponds to more than half of the children who were injured. In total, approximately 40,500 children suffered war injuries.
Protests in Israel
Opposition groups in Israel took to the streets to protest against the government. In demonstrations dubbed the “day of continuity,” protesters accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of refusing to agree to a ceasefire and intensifying the siege. Netanyahu, in turn, accused the protesters of “using the methods of militias.”
New signals in the negotiations
Bishara Bahbah, who is mediating the indirect negotiations for Gaza, told Saudi Arabia-based Al-Arabiya, “There are more positive signs now for a permanent solution than there were a week, two weeks, or even twenty days ago.” Bahbah stated that a solution would be possible if the US took a firm stance.
A source speaking to Israel-based i24NEWS stated that the US is working behind the scenes to revive negotiations on the hostages. According to the source, Hamas’ latest statement could be seen as a response to Netanyahu’s call for a “general agreement” and may signal movement in the positions of the parties.