- Strong domestic pressure has been applied to Israel’s government.
- Only one hostage had been rescued alive as a result of the military assault on northern Gaza.
- Israel’s forces have taken control of a sizable portion of northern Gaza.
Strong domestic pressure has been applied to Israel’s government to move forward with the return of hostages.
Following a high-profile “bring them home” campaign, their families met with Israeli war cabinet members on Monday evening. Only one hostage had been rescued alive as a result of the military assault on northern Gaza.
Israel-Hamas war
In response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, international pressure has also been increasing. Following the ground invasion and Israeli military bombing, there is a severe shortage of food, fuel, water, and medications, displacing 1.7 million of the 2.3 million people, and only 10 of the 36 hospitals are operational, leading to a humanitarian crisis among civilians.
Concerns in the US that Israel had overreacted militarily were reflected in the 68% of Americans who said last week that they supported a ceasefire.
Given that Israel’s forces have taken control of a sizable portion of northern Gaza, including Gaza City, Hamas is losing ground on the battlefield.
Ten of the 24 Hamas battalions are said to have suffered significant losses at the hands of Israel’s military, and the organization is thought to have moved its headquarters to the southernmost point of the Gaza Strip.
