AGI – After a second convoy of trucks entered the Gaza Strip, the White House promised a “continuous flow” of humanitarian aid. But in the meantime, Israel, which continues to prepare the ground operation, bombarded the besieged enclave until the early hours of the morning.
The Israeli army, which has been preparing for an offensive to “annihilate” Hamas since the start of the conflict, stepped up attacks on Gaza Strip and Hezbollah positions in Lebanon on Sunday. According to a spokesman “Dozens” of militiamen were killed and 320 Hamas and Islamic Jihad positions were attacked.
According to the Hamas Ministry of Health, there were civilian casualties in Deir Al-Balah, Khan Younis and Rafah. According to al-Jazira, it was “the bloodiest” night of bombing since the bloody Hamas attack on October 7: Israeli militants increased the scale and scope of the attacks, targeting several.
One of the attacks occurred in the Jabalia refugee camp. a densely populated area home to more than 120,000 Palestinians. The surrounding areas of Al Shifa and Al Quds hospitals were also bombed. A bloodbath: According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, at least 400 people have died in the last 24 hours in attacks on civilian homes without warning.
As Israel continues to prepare for and postpone the ground operation, there is turmoil in the region. The United States has increased its military presence in the Middle East (it is now the largest since the formation of the coalition to fight ISIS in 2014).
Iran is also activating its militias, while Hezbollah continues to harass Israel on the Lebanese border. And fears of a regional conflict are growing. The regime in Tehran, allied with Hamas and Hezbollah, has warned Washington and Israel that the situation could spiral out of control if they do not “immediately put an end to the crimes against humanity and genocide in Gaza.”
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin responded by warning and arguing against any “organization” or “country” that might be tempted to “expand” the conflict in the Middle East The United States would not hesitate to “act” if its interests were targeted.
China expressed deep concern about the risk of the conflict expanding, adding that it was ready to do “whatever it takes” to promote dialogue. As for ground deployment, the timing remains uncertain; However, according to the New York Times, the White House recommended that Israel postpone this to allow more time to negotiate the release of the 212 hostages.
The phone call between the big names in the world
US President Joe Biden has discussed the war between Israel and Hamas with the leaders of major Western powers as the Jewish state’s forces step up attacks on Gaza. According to reports from the White House Biden spoke with the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany and Italy – Rishi Sunak, Justin Trudeau, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and Giorgia Meloni – who “affirmed their support for Israel and its right to defend itself against terrorism and called for respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.”
The leaders also spoke about their citizens affected by the conflict, “particularly those who want to leave Gaza.”
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GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP
Rubble and destruction in Gaza City
Netanyahu: “We will not provide aid to Gaza”
“Israel will not provide humanitarian aid to Gaza and will prevent any uncontrolled delivery by others,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said Benjamin Netanyahu after Washington announced a further flow of aid to Gaza with the approval of the Israeli authorities, sparking criticism from the Israeli far right.
Countries that accuse Israel of committing war crimes are not democracies. This was stated by the international spokesman for the armed forces of the Jewish state, Jonathan Conricus, in an interview with ABC Australia quoted by Yedioth Ahronoth. These countries, he added: “I am in no position to teach Israelespecially on humanitarian issues.”
For Conricus, anti-Israel protesters are “full of hatred against Israel based on things that have nothing to do with what is happening in Gaza right now.”
The Importance of Aid (according to the UN)
The UN humanitarian chief, Martin GriffithsInstead, he welcomed the entry of more humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing. It’s about “another small glimmer of hope for thousands of people who urgently need humanitarian assistance,” he commented, stressing that the population of the Palestinian enclave “needs much more.”
Griffiths said he was particularly grateful for the aid workers who “sprung into action immediately” to unload the supplies “despite the risks”, describing them as “real heroes”. “They also need protection,” he added.
The Lebanese Front
Israeli forces attacked two more Hezbollah cells in southern Lebanon before they could carry out attacks on the Jewish state. According to the army itself, one of the cells was supposed to fire rockets in the Mount Dov area, while the second planned to fire an anti-tank missile near the northern town of Mattat.
Rubble in Gaza City after Israeli bombing
The new conversation between Hamas and Iran
Hamas Political Bureau Chairman Ismail Haniyeh and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian discussed ways to stop Israeli “brutal crimes” in Gaza. The Islamic Movement announced this in a statement.
In a post on
It is important that you have taken the time to lose the time and that you do not mind that most people and children are no longer able to earn their money. It is important that you stop worrying. I believe that most people are not able to make money and it is not easy to help them. This is not the case.
— H.Amirabdollahian امیرعبداللهیان (@Amirabdolahian) October 22, 2023
“The resistance from Palestine is strong. The political and security structure of the Israeli regime has collapsed and only its war machine is directed against civilians,” emphasized Amirabdollahian.
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