Israeli authorities reported that at least 1,400 people have died and 3,400 others have been injured in Israel after Hamas launched an unprecedented incursion from air, land and sea on Oct. 7. In Gaza, 3,000 people have been killed and another 12,500 were injured, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have also urged "all residents of Gaza City to evacuate their homes" and "move south for their protection" last week. As per the IDF, it plans to "operate significantly in Gaza City in the coming days" and wants "to avoid harming civilians." A spokesman said that Israel is prepared on its own both in the north and in the south. And as if getting ready to embark on a bigger endeavor, the Israel Ministry of Health already told its people that "the war may last a long time, prepare an emergency stock of food for four months."
Israel Ministry of Health: "The war may last a long time, prepare an emergency stock of food for 4 months"
Iranian Foreign Minister: "The expansion of the war to other fronts has begun to reach unavoidable stages."
IDF Spokesman: "Israel is prepared on its own both in the north… pic.twitter.com/75KhjS51Nz
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 17, 2023
It has been obvious to global observers that the conflict is not going to end soon and worse, it is set toward continued escalation, which could explode well beyond the Gaza crisis. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the expansion of the war to other fronts has begun to reach unavoidable stages. An Israeli military spokesman countered, "If [the Iranian-backed] Hezbollah commits a grave mistake, we will respond with devastating force never seen before."
At the moment, exchanges of fire between IDF and militants in south Lebanon, especially the Hezbollah, have become a daily occurrence. However, according to ZeroHedge, a full assault from the militant group has been avoided because Israel could be holding off its expected major ground invasion of Gaza precisely to avoid provoking a "northern front" from opening up. (Related: Hezbollah threat in the north delays Israel invasion of Gaza.)
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But Hezbollah has issued new claims it has destroyed an IDF tank and other military assets. "Hezbollah carried out a number of attacks yesterday in order to try to divert our operational efforts [away from the Gaza Strip], under the direction and backing of Iran, while endangering the state of Lebanon and its citizens," an IDF spokesman said Monday. "We have increased our forces on the northern border and will respond aggressively to any activity against us. If Hezbollah dares to test us, the reaction will be deadly. The United States is giving us full backing."
On Tuesday, Hezbollah announced that its fighters launched an anti-tank guided missile at a gathering of Israeli soldiers, which resulted in "a number of casualties." Israel has in response shelled militant positions in Lebanon but has also hit Lebanese residential areas, prompting people in the area to flee. The Lebanese Shia Islamist group's main state backer, Iran, has continued ratcheting the threats against Israel:
Whatever crimes the Zionist regime commits will fail to compensate for its disgraceful defeat during the Al-Aqsa Storm operation.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) October 17, 2023
The Israeli forces, in response, already started to evacuate all civilians who live within two kilometers of the Lebanese border. They said the repeat rocket and mortar fire made it necessary and in preparation for potential greater military action. The country's National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) will oversee the transfer of Israeli civilians from 28 towns and communities to state-funded guesthouses.
The blockade and denial of water, food, fuel, electricity endanger lives
The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza has now endured four bombings from Israel, according to a spokesperson for Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was shut on Oct. 10 after it was hit by Israeli warplanes on the Palestinian side three times on Oct. 9 and 10. Earlier, Egypt agreed to re-open the border crossing for eight hours, and a ceasefire was said to be decided by Egypt, Israel and the U.S. to coincide with the opening of the crossing. However, the borders still have not been opened as of this writing. Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told BBC that from his nation's perspective, "the Rafah crossing on our side is officially open." However, the "aerial bombardments" are making the crossing "inaccessible" and unsafe for aid trucks to cross into Gaza.
Thousands of Palestinians are waiting on the Gaza side of the border, while hundreds of vehicles carrying desperately needed aid are parked up on the Egyptian side. Many more aid convoys are also heading towards the border. "We are in constant contact with all U.N. agencies to extract a safe passage for the relief aid," Shoukry said. "There is not yet any sort of authorization for a safe passage from the other side of the crossing."
As per the international non-governmental Human Rights Watch, the Israeli government should immediately end its total blockade of the Gaza Strip that is putting Palestinian children and other civilians at grave risk. "The collective punishment of the population is a war crime. Israeli authorities should allow desperately needed food, medical aid, fuel, electricity and water into Gaza, and let sick and wounded civilians leave to receive medical treatment elsewhere," the New York-based NGO said.
Doctors in Gaza reported being unable to care for children and other patients because the hospitals are overwhelmed by victims of Israeli airstrikes. On October 17, a munition struck al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, causing mass casualties. The militant group Hamas blamed Israel for the strike, while Israel said it was a rocket misfire by Palestinian militants.
Bill Van Esveld, the non-profit's associate children's rights director said that President Joe Biden, who is in Israel today, should press Israeli officials to completely lift the unlawful blockade and ensure the entire civilian population has prompt access to water, food, fuel and electricity.
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