JERUSALEM (AP) – In what has been the deadliest attack on Israel’s forces since the war began, twenty-one soldiers were killed in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. This setback could potentially intensify the calls for a cease-fire.
Several hours later, the military revealed that ground forces had surrounded Khan Younis, the second-largest city in Gaza. Heavy fighting has resulted in numerous Palestinian casualties in recent days.
Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his grief for the fallen soldiers, he remains determined to continue with the offensive until Hamas is defeated. Additionally, he has pledged to rescue over 100 hostages held captive in Gaza. However, this has sparked division among Israelis, with many questioning the feasibility of achieving either goal. The high number of Israeli casualties has intensified the pressure on the government to consider halting the military operations.
Meanwhile, a senior Egyptian official disclosed that Israel has proposed a two-month cease-fire. According to the proposal, the hostages would be released in exchange for the liberation of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and permission for Hamas leaders in Gaza to relocate to other countries.
Hamas has rejected this proposal and insists that no further hostages will be released until Israel ceases its offensive and withdraws from Gaza. The Israeli government has refrained from commenting on the ongoing talks.
The official further revealed that Egypt and Qatar, who have previously mediated agreements between Israel and Hamas, are working on a comprehensive proposal to bridge the gaps between the two sides. Families of the hostages continue to urge Israel to negotiate with Hamas, emphasizing that time is of the essence in bringing their loved ones back home safely. Israeli Military Offensive Claims Lives in Gaza
On a tragic Monday in central Gaza, two buildings were demolished after a rocket-propelled grenade was fired at an Israeli tank. The blast set off explosives being prepared by Israeli reservists, resulting in the collapse of both two-story structures and the deaths of the soldiers inside.
Since the start of the ground offensive in late October, the number of soldiers killed has risen to at least 217, with three additional fatalities occurring on the same Monday, as reported by the military forces.
Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his grief, acknowledging that it was one of the most challenging days since the war began. He promised that a thorough investigation would be carried out. In a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, he vowed, “In the name of our heroes, and for our own lives, we will not stop fighting until we achieve absolute victory.”
Israel’s offensive was launched in response to Hamas’ border crossing on October 7, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and the abduction of approximately 250 individuals. In November, as part of a negotiated week-long ceasefire and the release of 240 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, over 100 individuals were freed.
The consequences of the offensive have been devastating, causing widespread destruction and displacing an estimated 85% of Gaza’s population. According to health officials in the Hamas-controlled territory, more than 25,000 Palestinians have lost their lives. The United Nations and international aid agencies have declared a humanitarian disaster, warning that a quarter of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents face starvation.
Furthermore, the war has escalated tensions in the region, leading to attacks on United States and Israeli targets by Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen who show their solidarity with the Palestinians. In response to this, the U.S. and Britain launched another series of strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen on Monday. These rebels have been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea as a part of what they claim is a blockade against Israel.
