The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry announced that Israel’s war against the Muslim Brotherhood in the form of Hamas has resulted in the death of 25,000 Palestinians, a majority being women and children. The UN secretary general, António Guterres, condemned the assault during his speech at the G77+China summit, declaring it “heartbreaking and utterly unacceptable.” The fighting is due to a massive terror attack by Hamas in Southern Israel, which killed an estimated 1,200 individuals, primarily civilians. Hamas took roughly 250 hostages at the time, 132 of which remain in Gaza.
Israeli forces continue their advance into parts of Gaza. It is estimated that a million displaced individuals have sought refuge in the border town of Rafah, living in makeshift camps, private apartments, and UN shelters. Hostilities are intensified with renewed fighting in the north and Israeli forces struggling to clear areas of Hamas militants utilizing underground tunnels.
Hamas government’s media office reports that due to continued artillery shelling, many of the dead and wounded are unable to be transferred to hospitals. The Israeli military spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, reported the discovery of a tunnel in Khan Younis where hostages had been kept, along with evidence of their presence. Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, rejected US President Joe Biden’s call for Palestinian statehood, maintaining the stance that Israel should retain security control over Gaza post-conflict.
