Signalling it may escalate its actions additional, the Israeli army stated on Sunday one in every of its divisions that had operated in Lebanon, the place Israel fought Hamas’ Iranian-backed ally Hezbollah, was getting ready for potential motion in Gaza.
It distributed a video of tanks unloaded in a subject and a caption that learn: “Preparations of the thirty sixth Division for Operations within the Gaza Strip.”
At the least 45 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli strikes on Rafah and Khan Younis thus far on Sunday, well being authorities stated.
Palestinian officers on Sunday put the dying toll from almost 18 months of battle at over 50,000.
The Israeli army stated it does its greatest to cut back hurt to civilians and questioned the dying toll offered by well being authorities within the Hamas-run territory.
A lot of the useless in Gaza have been civilians, based on well being officers. Israel says they embody round 20,000 fighters. Hamas doesn’t disclose casualty figures.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated the intention of the warfare is to destroy Hamas as a army and governing entity. The intention of the brand new marketing campaign is to drive the group to surrender remaining hostages, he stated on Tuesday.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Netanyahu to “emphasise US help for Israel”, a State Division spokesperson stated. They mentioned Israel’s ongoing army operations in Gaza, efforts to deliver hostages dwelling and US strikes towards Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, the spokesperson added.
Israel launched its offensive in Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, killing 1,200 individuals, principally civilians, and taking greater than 250 hostages, based on Israeli tallies.
“Israel’s army offensive has precipitated an appalling lack of life,” stated European Union international coverage chief Kaja Kallas. “So long as this warfare continues, either side lose.”
Kallas added Israel should respect civilian lives and that threats to annex elements of Gaza have been unacceptable.
