December 5, Gaza (Reuters) – Numerous Palestinians have been killed and injured as a result of Israeli troops’ increased aerial and ground shelling of Gaza’s southern region. Pressure to protect civilians has been applied by the US and the UN on Israel on several occasions.
The death toll from Friday’s cease-fire between Israel and Hamas is still rising, raising questions about the increasing number of victims. The United States, Israel’s key friend, responded by expressing optimism that Israel is taking appropriate steps to safeguard civilians and reaffirming their expectation that Israel will not target inhabited areas in the future.
Severe Israeli airstrikes were reported by southern coast journalists and residential areas, including the heavily affected seaside enclave of Ganjaan Abad.Previously, Israel had advised individuals to seek shelter in certain regions.
Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, pleaded with Israel not to take any further steps that would exacerbate the already grave humanitarian situation in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas. The UN spokesperson, Stephen Dujarric, expressed grave worry about the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, noting that there is very little chance of survival for those who have been ordered to flee.
After a week-long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that ended on Friday, Israel had taken control of the northern part of Gaza and was quickly pushing into the southernmost region. The international community underscores how critical it is to put civilian protection first in light of the recent uptick in hostilities between Israel and Hamas.