Gaza Strip, January 22, 2024: Gazans sought refuge on Monday amidst relentless bombing and gunfire in the city of Khan Younis, marking the southern epicenter of the ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas militants. Witnesses reported deadly strikes and fierce fighting overnight, resulting in over 120 casualties within the previous 24 hours, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.
“Artillery shelling has not stopped since 5:00 am,” said Yunis Abdel Razek, 52, sheltering with his family at Al-Aqsa University in the besieged city.
Israeli forces, accused of besieging the ambulance center and targeting movement in the area, faced condemnation for intensifying their offensive. In Khan Younis, survivors navigated broken concrete with flashlights, desperately searching for those trapped in the rubble.
Also Read: Palestinian Death Toll Surpasses 25,000 as War Rages On.
The conflict has raised international concerns, prompting European Union foreign ministers to hold meetings in Brussels with representatives from Israel, Palestine, and key Arab states. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasized that “peace and stability cannot be built only by military means,” challenging Israel to consider alternative solutions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced condemnation from the United Nations for rejecting calls to negotiate a two-state solution, a proposal backed by the United States. Netanyahu defended his stance in a video statement, asserting that a Palestinian state would pose an existential threat to Israel.
On Monday, Palestinian Authority’s top diplomat, Riyad al-Maliki, urged the EU to call for an immediate ceasefire and consider sanctions against Netanyahu for hindering the prospect of a two-state solution. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the global consensus on a two-state resolution.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz attended the EU meetings, focusing on the need to secure the release of hostages and restore security for Israeli citizens. The talks followed a 16-page report by Hamas, justifying its October 7 terror attack on southern Israel as a “defensive act” against Israeli occupation.
Israeli officials claim that Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people in southern Israel and seized 240 hostages. Despite a relentless Israeli offensive, U.S. intelligence agencies estimate that the goal of entirely dismantling Hamas remains unfulfilled.
Netanyahu addressed the nation in response to the Hamas report, stating that accepting their demands for an immediate ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces, release of Palestinian prisoners, and ensuring Hamas remains in power would jeopardize security.
Pressure mounted on Netanyahu as families of the hostages stormed a parliamentary finance committee meeting, demanding accountability and negotiation for their release. In an effort to broker a new hostage exchange deal, U.S. officials confirmed that White House coordinator for the Middle East Brett McGurk was traveling to the region for talks with officials in Cairo and Qatar.
Amidst rising tensions and violence in the Middle East, involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, fears of a broader conflagration persist.
The situation remains highly volatile, with the international community urging diplomatic solutions to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and avoid further escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict.