Israeli tanks that moved into Shejaia four days ago targeted several houses and dropped cell bombs, leaving many families stranded and unable to leave the town, residents said.
Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting last Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again insisted that there is no alternative but to win the war against Hamas.
“We are committed to fighting until we achieve our objectives of rescuing all hostages, ensuring that Gaza continues to be a threat to Israel, and ensuring the safe return of our citizens in the south and north,” he said.
As Israel continues to focus on attacks on Gaza, the Palestinian Ministry of Health has reported that one person was killed and five others were injured in an Israeli airstrike near the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Tulkarm. The Islamic Jihad organization has mentioned that one member of its organization was killed.
Within hours of Netanyahu’s comments on Gaza, a video released by Hamas’ weapons wing showed footage of weapons being prepared for the protest.
It shows militants preparing anti-tank rocket launchers while a large television screen broadcasts the latest news in the background. This shows that this video was taken recently.
The scene written at the end of the short video reads, ‘Our preparedness will continue’.
The Israeli military noted that several Palestinian militants have been killed in recent days in an operation in Shejaya.
However, the Israeli army said last Saturday (29) that two more Israeli soldiers were killed in northern Gaza.
The armed wing of Hamas and its allied Islamic Jihad fighters have been fighting fiercely against Israeli forces in Shejaia and Rabaa, with the militants using anti-tank rockets and mortar shells.
It is noteworthy that in the Gaza war, which has been going on for more than eight months, the Israeli army continues to face fierce resistance there and the war has broken out again in the areas that Israel previously claimed to have brought under control.
In this case, at least 20 rockets were fired from the city of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza towards southern Israel yesterday. Israel also said that some of the rockets were intercepted and some hit and no one was injured or damaged.
Israeli media said it was the biggest attack on Israel from Gaza in the past few months.
At least 23 Palestinians have been killed in the past 24 hours in Gaza by Israel’s continuous attacks, according to a statement released by the Gaza Ministry of Health yesterday.
This brings the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza to 37,900 and another 87,060 wounded. The death toll is believed to be higher, with many feared trapped in the rubble of destroyed buildings.
55 people were released
In this case, Israel released yesterday the head of Al Sheba Hospital, the largest hospital in Gaza, Muhammad Abu Salmiya and 55 Palestinians. The Israel State Radio Corporation reported that they had been released amid overcrowding in Israeli prisons.
Israeli forces have arrested thousands of Palestinians in Gaza since the outbreak of war, the exact number of which has not been confirmed.
Doctor Muhammad Abu Salmiya was arrested by Israeli forces last November. Al Shiba Hospital has been reduced to rubble due to successive Israeli sieges.
Salmiya said that she and others arrested were subjected to severe torture and were detained in poor conditions.
“Our prisoners have been subjected to all kinds of torture behind bars. He had to face torture almost on a daily basis. Jail cages are broken and prisoners are assaulted,’ Salmiya told the media after being released.
He said the prison guards broke his finger and injured his head after being attacked with sticks and dogs.
Salmiya and other freed prisoners re-entered Gaza from Israel east of Khan Yunis, AFP reported, citing medical sources. The news agency noted. Five have been admitted to Aqsa Hospital while others have been sent to hospitals in Kunis, it said.
Health threat
Ceasefire talks have been held sporadically over the past several months, but have failed to make any progress. Hamas is adamant that Israeli forces must withdraw completely from Gaza to end the war, even as US-backed Arab mediators try to broker a deal. On the other hand, Israel, which claims to only accept a temporary ceasefire, has been hinting that it will completely eliminate Hamas, which has been in power in Gaza since 2007.
The United Nations and aid agencies continue to warn of a worsening humanitarian crisis and the threat of starvation in besieged Gaza, home to 2.4 million people.
The Raba border crossing with Egypt, through which aid flows into Gaza, has been closed since Israel launched a ground operation in Raba, Gaza’s southern tip city, in early May. Besides, the temporary port established by the US in the Gaza port for the delivery of aid to Gaza has also been removed due to sea turbulence.
The war has also escalated tensions with Lebanon’s Hezbollah on Israel’s northern border. It is noteworthy that daily fighting between Israel and Hezbollah fighters continues here.
Sami Hamid, who is staying in a temporary camp in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, said that ‘skin infections have increased, especially among children, due to the intense heat and lack of clean water’.
“Incidences of skin infections, especially scabies and smallpox, have increased, and untreated sewage flowing near tents can cause hepatitis,” said Hameed.
Waba Elwan, a migrant from Gaza City, told AFP that the tent lacked clean water or basic sanitation. He told the news agency.
