Israeli Forces Encircle Gaza City, Palestinians At “Grave Risk Of Genocide”

Last updated on November 4th, 2023 at 05:07 am

Here’s the brutal Israel-Hamas war on Day 28. Israeli troops have surrounded the battered Gaza City on three sides and are operating inside, fighting in close quarters, said Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) chief of staff, in a televised statement.

The intensifying Israeli bombardment has claimed thousands of Palestinian lives, with those alive running out of clean water and facing increasing health risks. On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said the troops had pushed through the outskirts of Gaza City.

Biden Calls For Humanitarian “Pause” In Israel-Hamas War

On Thursday, seven UN experts called for a ceasefire in the territory, highlighting time was running out for scores of Palestinian people there who were at “grave risk of genocide”. The Israeli mission to the UN in Geneva said it was preparing a response to the expert’s remarks.

As the war rages on for four weeks, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. During heavy clashes on the outskirts of Gaza’s urban areas in recent days, 18 Israeli soldiers lost their lives as troops faced a number of ambushes.

The top Israeli military commander’s comments came as the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, was heading to Israel and Jordan for discussions on Friday to push for a “pause” requested by President Joe Biden, who said “a pause means [giving] time to get the prisoners out.”

The raging Israel-Hamas war erupted on October 7 when Hamas launched surprise attacks on Israeli cities, killing more than 1,400 people and taking at least 240 others hostages. Israeli strikes in response have claimed more than 8,700 lives, according to the Gaza health ministry.

1,000 Palestinians To Receive Treatment In Emirati Hospitals

Egypt said it was preparing to receive “about 7,000” people representing more than 60 nationalities through the newly opened Rafah Border Crossing with southern Gaza. While aid has flowed through Rafah since the conflict began, no one was earlier allowed to leave.

The United Arab Emirates, meanwhile, said Thursday it planned to treat 1,000 injured children from Gaza but did not specify how they would travel to the Emirates. The Gulf state has been bolstering support for the Palestinians, while calling for an immediate ceasefire.