In a continuing escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict, heavy airstrikes have once again struck the Jabaliya refugee camp near Gaza City for the second consecutive day. Israeli forces have advanced toward residential areas of the city. While Hamas reports Palestinian casualties, Israel claims to have targeted militant leaders within the camp. This conflict has now entered its 25th day, leading to some foreign nationals and seriously injured Palestinians being allowed to leave Gaza.
Israel believes that Gaza City houses significant Hamas military infrastructure, including tunnels. An agreement mediated by Qatar and involving Egypt, Israel, and Hamas has enabled limited evacuations through the Rafah crossing. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, more than 8,800 Palestinians have lost their lives, primarily women and minors, with over 22,000 injuries. On the Israeli side, over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, have died since Hamas initiated its attacks. Palestinian militants have also abducted around 240 people and continue to fire rockets into Israel.
Israeli ground troops have advanced into Gaza City in intense fighting with militants, which began after Hamas killed approximately 1,400 Israelis on October 7. The U.S. State Department has expressed its primary concern regarding the reopening of the Rafah crossing, not only for cargo transport but also for evacuating U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals.
President Joe Biden has called for a humanitarian “pause” in the Israel-Hamas conflict to facilitate the release of prisoners. He made this statement during a campaign fundraiser when a protester interrupted him, demanding a ceasefire.
The Israeli attacks on Gaza’s Jabalia refugee camp have resulted in the reported deaths of at least 195 Palestinians, with around 120 people still missing under the rubble and over 777 others wounded. Israel has claimed that its targets included Hamas leaders within the camp.
By mid-Wednesday, 335 foreign passport holders had left Gaza via the Rafah crossing into Egypt. Additionally, 76 Palestinian patients and their companions were evacuated for medical treatment in Egypt, with plans for over 400 foreign passport holders to leave Gaza.