Ramallah, 8 October 2023 (TDI): Hezbollah’s claim of responsibility for mortar strikes from Lebanon into the occupied Shebaa Farms has prompted an escalation in the region.
In response, Israel has reported artillery strikes in the area, marking a concerning development in an already tense situation.
These developments occur in the midst of rising concerns about the possibility of a ground invasion of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent rhetoric, where he threatened to transform the besieged Palestinian enclave into a “deserted island” following Hamas’s unexpected attack on Saturday, has heightened these fears.
Also read: Israel-Hamas conflict erupts in serious escalation
As of the latest reports, the toll from the ongoing conflict stands at 313 Palestinians and approximately 300 Israelis.
Hamas has also claimed to have captured several Israelis, with reports suggesting that these hostages are dispersed throughout various areas of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas’s operation follows a series of Israeli settler attacks, increased tensions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, and a concerning number of Palestinian casualties.
Nebal Farsakh, the Spokesperson for the NGO Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRC), has informed the considerable challenges faced by their medical teams in Gaza.
“We have witnessed an alarming increase in violations against our medical missions due to the ongoing confrontations,” she reported.
“So far, we have documented four violations, including injuries to three of our paramedics, one volunteer in critical condition, and damage to one of our ambulances and a medical facility.”
Also read: Hundreds of casualties amidst Israel-Palestine Conflict
Farsakh also highlighted the difficulties faced by their medical teams in safely reaching and assisting wounded individuals in Gaza due to the current escalation.
In response to these challenges, Farsakh called upon the international humanitarian community to establish humanitarian corridors, enabling NGOs like the Palestinian Red Crescent Society to safely carry out their vital work in aiding the people of the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu has convened a security assessment meeting at the military headquarters in Tel Aviv, according to local media reports.
The meeting includes the participation of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Herzi Halevi, the Army’s Chief of staff, along with other senior officials.
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