16/02/24 Ismail M.
· Israel is facing international pressures due to their intended course of action in Rafah. A last refuge for more than a million displaced Palestinians. Israel claims it wants to flush out Islamist militants from hideouts in Rafah and free hostages being held there after the Hamas rampage in Israel on Oct. 7.
· However, Israeli forces shelled eastern areas of Rafah overnight, and pounded several areas of Khan Younis in southern Gaza according to residents .
· A top UN official, Humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said Palestinians in Gaza were already suffering an “assault that is unparalleled in its intensity, brutality and scope”. The consequences of an invasion of Rafah would be “catastrophic”, he said.
· Israel has vowed to fight on until it eradicates Hamas and has made the return of the last hostages a priority. Hamas says Israel must commit to ending the war and withdrawing from Gaza.
Current number of deaths and injuries
o Deaths – 25,105 Palestinians
o Injuries – 62,681 Palestinians