- Last month, Hamas attacked southern Israel, resulting in 1,400 deaths and 11,000 Israeli casualties.
- Regarding his handling of the situation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under heavy fire.
- PM Benjamin Netanyahu has the go-ahead to move forward because of the Biden administration’s support.
Last month, Hamas attacked southern Israel, resulting in 1,400 deaths and 11,000 Israeli casualties as a result of Israel’s counterattack. On Wednesday, Israeli forces stormed the biggest hospital in Gaza, allegedly to target a Hamas command center hidden beneath sections where civilians were seeking shelter and medical attention.
The US confirmed intelligence that backs Israel’s allegation that Hamas, which the US and EU have designated as a terrorist organization, uses hospitals like Shifa to support and hide its activities.
Israel-Hamas
Around 1,200 people were killed in the October 7 Hamas attack, and protesters demanded the release of the hostages that Hamas had kidnapped. Following weeks of fierce attacks by Israel, thousands of children were among the over 11,300 confirmed casualties in the Gaza Strip, which is under Hamas control. Regarding his handling of the situation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under heavy fire.
A third round of sanctions against Hamas entities has been launched by the US Department of Treasury and the United Kingdom in retaliation for their attack on Israel on October 7. By specifically focusing on Hamas members, this action sheds light on influential individuals and how Iran backs both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
Following Hamas’ cross-border rampage on October 7, the White House has indicated a hint of progress in the hostage negotiations. It is thought that the Islamist group is still detaining over 235 individuals in Gaza. The administration of US President Joe Biden is reportedly dissatisfied with Israel’s actions in the war against Hamas, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged the Israeli government to use the utmost restraint.
Arab allies are putting increasing pressure on the US, claiming that PM Benjamin Netanyahu has the go-ahead to move forward because of the Biden administration’s support. The administration has supported Israel’s claim that Hamas militants are hiding inside Gaza’s biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, and are complying with Israel’s requests for weapons.
Another point of contention is the Gaza Strip‘s future, particularly Netanyahu’s change in tone from declaring that Israel doesn’t want to reoccupy the region to pledging that Israeli forces will stay there indefinitely.
