Israeli Forces Kill 14 Palestinians in Gaza as US Secretary of State Pursues Ceasefire
Israeli forces have continued their onslaught in Gaza’s main southern city, Khan Younis, killing at least 14 Palestinians in airstrikes. This comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken seeks to broker a ceasefire in the four-month-old war. The fighting has intensified in Khan Younis, with a threatened assault on a nearby border town where many displaced people are seeking shelter.
Blinken arrived in Egypt for talks after visiting Saudi Arabia as part of his latest trouble-shooting Middle East swing. The Palestinians hope that his visit will lead to a ceasefire before Israeli forces launch an attack on Gaza’s southern fringes, where over a million people are currently sheltering. This is Blinken’s fifth trip to the region since the war began, and his first visit since Washington brokered an offer, with Israeli input, for the first extended ceasefire of the conflict. However, Hamas, the ruling party in Gaza, says it is still considering the proposal.
The US has been working to secure the release of remaining hostages among those kidnapped by Hamas during its initial attack on Israel in October. This is seen as crucial for making progress on broader challenges, such as the governance of post-war Gaza. The ceasefire offer, delivered to Hamas last week by Qatari and Egyptian mediators, is awaiting a response from the militants who want more guarantees that Israel’s attacks will stop. Israel, on the other hand, has vowed to continue fighting until Hamas is eliminated.
In addition to brokering a ceasefire, Washington is also seeking to prevent further escalation in the Middle East. The US has been conducting airstrikes on armed proxies of Iran, a major backer of Hamas, and there have been attacks on Red Sea shipping by Yemen’s Tehran-aligned Houthi militia.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with thousands of Palestinians confirmed dead and many more feared buried under rubble. The Israeli military campaign has resulted in the deaths of 226 soldiers, while Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages during their initial attack on Israeli communities.
Israeli forces have been focusing their offensive on Khan Younis, with airstrikes and tank bombardments causing widespread destruction. The two main hospitals in the city, Nasser and Al-Amal, have been besieged by Israeli tanks and aircraft. Israel claims that Hamas militants use hospital premises for cover, a claim that Gaza’s ruling Islamists deny.
Rafah, the last southern refuge for Palestinians fleeing Israeli advances towards the border with Egypt, has also been heavily targeted. The area has been hit by airstrikes and tank shelling, leaving many displaced people wounded and living in makeshift tent camps. The sanitation system in Gaza is collapsing, raising concerns about the spread of disease.
In Gaza City, residents have reported further Israeli airstrikes and tank shelling. Fighting has resurged in the city, despite Israel’s previous claims of having subdued the area. Displaced people who have returned to check on their homes have found widespread destruction, with apartment blocks razed and roads destroyed.
During his Middle East trip, Blinken aims to gain support for US plans for the post-war reconstruction and governance of Gaza. He also hopes to advance the idea of a Palestinian state, which Israel currently opposes, and encourage Arab countries to normalize relations with Israel.
The proposed ceasefire includes a truce of at least 40 days, during which militants would release civilians held hostage. This would be followed by later phases to hand over soldiers and bodies in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. However, the only ceasefire so far lasted just a week in November.
As the violence continues to escalate in Gaza, the international community is hoping that Blinken’s efforts will lead to a lasting ceasefire and pave the way for peace and stability in the region.