Despite International Mediation, 'Israel-Hamas' Conflict Intensifies... At Least 159 Dead

On the 12th (local time), Israeli artillery fired shells at the border of Israel and the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian autonomous region. The Israeli military has been engaged in a three-day firefight with Hamas, the armed faction in the Gaza Strip, resulting in a sharp increase in casualties. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The armed conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas has entered its seventh day, with at least 159 deaths reported on both sides. The United Nations and the international community are attempting to mediate, but no clear solution has emerged.

According to major foreign media on the 16th (local time), at least 149 people, including 41 children, have died in Palestine so far, while 10 people, including 2 children, have been reported dead in Israel.

At least 159 fatalities have occurred on both sides.

Israel continued airstrikes early that day, reportedly bombing the residence of a Hamas leader. Hamas claimed that the home of Yahya al-Sinwar, the Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, was attacked.

On the previous day, Israel destroyed a 12-story building in the Gaza Strip housing multiple foreign media outlets, including the US AP News Agency and Qatar's state-run Al Jazeera. Hamas is retaliating by launching a large number of rockets toward Tel Aviv.

The Israeli military reported that armed groups in the Gaza Strip, including Hamas, have fired about 2,300 rockets toward Israel since the 10th.

Despite international calls for a ceasefire, both sides have made it clear they have no intention of stopping the fighting. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address to the nation the previous day, "Those responsible for this conflict are not us but those attacking us," adding, "The operation is not over yet and will continue as long as necessary."

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, currently in Doha, Qatar, stated in a public speech that Israel is responsible for the conflict and vowed to continue the 'Intifada.' Intifada is an Arabic term referring to the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation.

United Nations Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres expressed shock over the Israeli airstrike on a building in the Gaza Strip housing foreign media offices.

Secretary-General Guterres emphasized through a spokesperson, "Targeting civilians or media organizations is a violation of international law and must never happen under any circumstances." The UN plans to hold a virtual meeting of the Security Council on the 16th to discuss solutions to the current crisis.