The Israeli army and security forces continue the operation launched this Monday against the Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City, the largest in the Strip and one of the few centers still in operation. According to information provided by the armed forces, the operation has claimed the lives of “90 terrorists” and has arrested 600 alleged militants. The spokesman for the Israeli Defense Forces, Daniel Hagari, has assured that so far they have identified 250 of those arrested as members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, while they are investigating the links of the other 350 arrested with these groups. “We are talking about many Islamic Jihad agents, including battalion commanders, and Hamas agents and political officials,” Hagari explained in a video recorded at the hospital entrance.
On the other hand, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has defended during his visit to Saudi Arabia the US commitment to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East through an independent Palestinian State “with security guarantees for Israel.” “The secretary has emphasized the United States’ commitment to achieving sustained peace through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement after the meeting. of Blinken with the Saudi Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan al Saud.
Israel plans to send several of its ministers to the United States to address the offensive in Rafah. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant – one of three members of the War Cabinet – will visit Washington next week at the invitation of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, on his first trip to the US since the war began on last October 7th. Netanyahu has also chosen two of his closest allies, the Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer; and the National Security Advisor, Tzachi Hanegbi, to travel to the United States in the coming days.
In addition, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for a “long-term ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip and an increase in aid entry into that territory, as he admits that current shipments by land, sea and air are not enough to cover the needs of the Gazan population.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that the Israeli army is preparing for said offensive in Rafah, although he has clarified that “it will take some time.” Netanyahu ignores the voices of the international community that ask him not to carry out a military operation in Rafah, and assures that this is the only way to “completely destroy Hamas.” The number of Palestinians killed by the offensive is now close to 32,000.