Israel-Hamas War: Over 184 Killed As New Israeli Strikes Hit Gaza
As Israel Defense Forces (IDF) resumed military operations in Gaza, 184 people have been killed throughout the Gaza Strip. Reuters, citing Gaza health officials, reported that at least 589 people are wounded and Israeli air strikes hit more than 20 houses. Israeli strikes were resumed on Friday after negotiations to extend a week-old truce with Hamas collapsed.
The IDF said in a post through its X handle that Israeli forces struck operational command centers in Gaza as well as underground sites and a military compound from which anti-tank missiles were launched at soldiers. Meanwhile, talks to resume the temporary ceasefire are ongoing, as international mediators, including Qatar, the US, and Egypt, said that they are working on reinstating the humanitarian truce. Reuters also reported that Israel and Hamas accused each other as the negotiation talks collapsed. According to the IDF, there are a total of 136 hostages still in Gaza. Among them, 17 are believed to be women and children, reported CNN. Israel accused Hamas of denying the release of all the women hostages it held.
In the past hours, the IDF has:
🔴Struck operational command centers in Gaza, which Hamas terrorists were operating, as well as underground sites and a military compound from which anti-tank missiles were launched at soldiers earlier today.
🔴Eliminated multiple terrorist cells… pic.twitter.com/D3AjKXTJK0
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 1, 2023
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken blamed Hamas for the end of the truce in Gaza. While speaking to the media at Dubai airport on Saturday, Antony Blinken said that Hamas violated its commitments. The US diplomat also added that he had asked Israel to take steps to protect civilians and provide humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip. He also added that Hamas fired rockets before the truce was over and failed to release some of the hostages it held.
The United Nations said that the renewed attacks would worsen an extreme humanitarian emergency. “Hell on Earth has returned to Gaza,” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian office in Geneva. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Israeli President Issac Herzog on the sidelines of the COP28 climate meeting in Dubai and had discussions on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. In the discussions, PM Modi highlighted the need for continued and safe delivery of humanitarian aid.
