On the 100th day of the ongoing conflict sparked by a Hamas attack, Israeli strikes have continued to intensify in Gaza, causing a surging civilian death toll and widespread devastation. The United Nations and various aid groups have warned of a severe humanitarian crisis affecting the 2.4 million people in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, with much of the coastal area reduced to rubble.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing increasing global scrutiny over the civilian casualties in Gaza, has remained resolute in his commitment to defeating Hamas. In a recent statement, Netanyahu declared that nothing will deter Israel from its mission.
The Hamas government’s media office in Gaza reported over 100 deaths due to the attacks, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Concurrently, regional tensions have escalated with strikes targeting Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, following their threats against Red Sea shipping perceived to be linked to Israel. The US and UK have conducted airstrikes in Yemen to prevent drone and missile attacks by the Houthis, who have declared solidarity with Gaza.
Along the Israel-Lebanon border, frequent skirmishes with Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, have occurred. The Israeli army reported an incident in the Har Dov area, also known as the Shebaa Farms district, where four gunmen were killed after they crossed the border and engaged with Israeli forces.
The war, which began with an unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7, has resulted in approximately 1,140 deaths in Israel, predominantly civilians, as per official figures. Hamas, designated as a “terrorist” organization by the United States and the European Union, has also taken about 250 hostages, with Israel confirming that at least 132 remain in Gaza.
In response to the crisis, Israel has launched a military campaign that has led to at least 23,843 deaths in Gaza, as reported by the Gaza health ministry. These casualties are primarily women and children. Following arguments at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, where Israel was accused of breaching the UN Genocide Convention, Netanyahu asserted Israel’s determination to continue its military efforts.
As the conflict persists, concerns about the potential for wider regional instability grow. The Israeli military’s recent strikes across Gaza, including in the southern city of Khan Younis, and clashes with Hamas’s military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, further underscore the intensity of the conflict.
In Israel, growing public pressure is mounting for the government to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, with large rallies in Tel Aviv calling for action. Families of the hostages and anti-war protesters are voicing their anguish and demanding an end to the war.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with acute shortages of essential supplies and a collapsing health system. The UN has warned of the long-term impact on Gaza’s population, particularly children, who are facing trauma and the risk of famine due to the prolonged conflict and destruction.
