Offensive Intensifies Despite Global Calls for Peace”
Gaza City, March 26, 2024 - The conflict in Gaza has taken a dire turn as Israeli forces intensify their campaign against Hamas, undeterred by the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) unanimous call for an immediate ceasefire. The resolution, which the US abstained from vetoing, has failed to halt the violence that has gripped the region.
Early this morning, Israeli jets roared over the densely populated Gaza Strip, launching airstrikes that shook buildings and sent plumes of smoke into the sky. The targets, according to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), were Hamas military sites, but the collateral damage has been significant. Reports from the ground indicate that civilian structures, including homes and schools, have been caught in the crossfire.
The IDF has stated that these operations are in response to the continuous barrage of rockets fired by Hamas into Israeli territory. However, the humanitarian toll of this conflict is mounting, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting numerous casualties, including women and children.
The international community has reacted with alarm to the escalating situation. The UNSC resolution, which was passed with the intention of bringing about a peaceful resolution during the holy month of Ramadan, appears to be ignored on the ground. The US abstention from the vote has been met with mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a subtle shift in policy, while others see it as a reluctance to influence its ally’s military strategy.
