Israeli Strikes Kill 18 in Gaza as US Rejects UN Cease-Fire Resolution
The conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, with Israeli strikes across Gaza resulting in the deaths of at least 18 people overnight into Sunday. Medics and witnesses on the ground have reported the casualties, while the United States has announced its intention to veto another draft U.N. cease-fire resolution. Instead, the U.S. aims to broker a cease-fire agreement and hostage release between Israel and Hamas, with hopes for a wider resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected Hamas’ demands, labeling them as “delusional.” He has also dismissed U.S. and international calls for a pathway to Palestinian statehood. In fact, Netanyahu’s Cabinet released a declaration on Sunday stating that Israel categorically rejects international edicts on a permanent arrangement with the Palestinians and opposes any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. The declaration argues that such recognition would only reward terrorism, especially in light of the October 7 attack that triggered the ongoing war.
Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until there is “total victory” over the Hamas militant group. He also plans to expand the offensive to Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost town, where a significant portion of the enclave’s population has sought refuge. Despite international concerns about a potential offensive in Rafah, Netanyahu has assured that residents will be evacuated to safer areas. However, it remains unclear where these displaced individuals will go, given the widespread devastation in Gaza.
The recent airstrikes have resulted in tragic loss of life. In Rafah, an overnight airstrike killed six people, including a woman and three children. Another strike in Khan Younis claimed the lives of five men. The bodies were seen being brought to a hospital in Rafah by Associated Press journalists. A bystander at the scene of the Rafah strike expressed frustration, stating that those who were killed had been asked by the Jews to move to safe places.
Gaza City, which has already suffered significant destruction in the early weeks of the war, was also targeted. An airstrike flattened a home, resulting in the deaths of seven people, including three women. Sayed al-Afifi, a relative of the victims, provided this information.
Israel’s military rarely comments on individual strikes and often attributes civilian casualties to Hamas, citing their presence in densely populated residential areas. However, these claims are disputed by many. The situation in the occupied West Bank has also escalated, with a shootout occurring during an Israeli forces’ attempt to arrest an armed suspect in Tulkarem. The suspect was killed, and a member of Israel’s paramilitary Border Police was severely wounded. The military has described the target of the raid as a senior militant.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that Nasser Hospital, the main medical center serving southern Gaza, is no longer functional after Israeli forces raided the facility in Khan Younis. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of WHO, expressed concern that a team was not allowed to enter the hospital to assess patients and critical medical needs. Approximately 200 patients, including 20 in urgent need of referrals elsewhere, remain at the hospital.
Israel claims to have arrested over 100 suspected militants at Nasser Hospital, including 20 who allegedly participated in the October 7 attack. However, no evidence has been provided to support these claims. The military maintains that it is searching for the remains of hostages inside the facility and denies targeting doctors or patients. Ruth Munder, who was freed by Hamas last year, revealed that she was held on the second floor of Nasser Hospital along with other hostages. The Gaza Health Ministry has reported that 70 medical personnel were among those arrested, along with patients in hospital beds. Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra has alleged that soldiers stripped and beat detainees, although the military has not yet responded to these allegations.
The war has taken a devastating toll on the Palestinian population. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 28,985 Palestinians have been killed, with the majority being women and children. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its records. In the past 24 hours alone, 127 bodies were brought to hospitals. Additionally, around 80% of Gaza’s population has been displaced from their homes, and a quarter of the population faces starvation.
While Algeria, the Arab representative on the U.N. Security Council, has circulated a draft resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, the U.S. has voiced opposition. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated that the draft resolution will not be adopted as it undermines Washington’s efforts to end the fighting. The U.S. has previously vetoed similar resolutions that had widespread international support. President Joe Biden has taken steps to rush arms to Israel while urging the country to take greater measures to protect civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid
