Israel strikes southern Gaza amid Blinken’s egypt visit
Israel bombarded the southern Gaza Strip overnight, intensifying its ongoing conflict with Hamas. Concurrently, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to engage in discussions in Egypt to address the escalating tensions.
Blinken, on his fourth Middle East trip aimed at quelling the conflict, is scheduled to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi following talks with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmud Abbas.
As Blinken pursues diplomatic avenues, a UN Security Council resolution demands an “immediate” cessation of attacks in the Red Sea, orchestrated by Yemen’s Huthi rebels in solidarity with Hamas. Simultaneously, Israel faces accusations of “genocidal” acts in Gaza, as brought forth by South Africa at the UN’s top court—an allegation dismissed by both Israel and Blinken as baseless.
Hamas reports 62 casualties in the latest strikes, including around the main southern city of Khan Yunis. Israeli forces, as announced by army spokesman Daniel Hagari, continue decisive actions both above and below ground in the region. Amid the complexity of the battlefield, Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi acknowledges the multifaceted nature of the conflict.
The humanitarian crisis deepens with reports of casualties, an ambulance strike, and wounded individuals in central Gaza. The UN aid chief highlights the choked-off health sector, labeling the situation as “indescribable.” Displacement numbers rise, reaching 1.9 million Gazans, compounding the region’s existing challenges of blockade and poverty.
Blinken outlines a potential post-war future for Gaza, expressing U.S. support for “tangible steps” towards a Palestinian state. However, this vision faces opposition from Israel’s hard-right government. Meanwhile, fears of a broader conflict between Israel and Iran-backed groups, especially Hezbollah, heighten, with Huthi rebels’ attacks in the Red Sea drawing international concern.
Against this backdrop, Blinken warns of consequences for Iran-backed actions, and the UN Security Council demands an end to Huthi attacks affecting global commerce. Recent incidents involving drone attacks in the Red Sea underscore the rising tensions and the need for concerted efforts to prevent further escalation.
