Hamas "Casualties Reach 400"
International Community's Growing Concern Over Civilian Deaths
On the 31st (local time), Israel launched a large-scale airstrike to eradicate the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, resulting in hundreds of casualties in the Gaza Strip refugee camps. The U.S. White House stated that a temporary ceasefire should be considered to provide humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Major foreign media outlets cited Gaza health authorities reporting that thousands of kilograms of explosives fell on a residential area in the northern Jabalia refugee camp that day. Videos released by foreign media after the airstrike showed local residents digging through the rubble of collapsed buildings with their bare hands and multi-family houses with holes caused by the bombing.
More than 50 people were reported dead and around 150 injured in the attack. Hamas estimated the damage to be much greater. The Hamas Interior Ministry stated, "The death toll in the refugee camp has risen to 100," adding, "There were 400 casualties and injuries in Jabalia alone." Foreign media noted that considering the scale of the airstrike, the death toll could increase further.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced, "The infantry and tank units led by the Givati Brigade have taken control of the Hamas military organization's Jabalia Battalion base," adding, "We entered the base, where Hamas commanders were believed to be present, and discovered underground tunnels, rocket launchers, and weapons warehouses. In the process, about 50 terrorists were killed." They emphasized that Ibrahim Biari, the commander of the Hamas Jabalia Brigade, was also killed in this airstrike.
Yoav Galant, Israel’s Minister of Defense, visiting an air force reconnaissance unit that day, said, "We have deployed a large force deep into the Gaza Strip," and evaluated, "The results and achievements of the ground war against armed groups in Gaza are very high." He continued, "We paid a very high price yesterday," but stressed, "Nevertheless, we will continue this war and win."
Since Israel deployed ground forces into the Gaza Strip on the 27th and expanded the scale of operations, international concerns over civilian casualties have also been growing.
United Nations Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres issued a statement during his visit to Nepal that day, expressing, "I am very concerned about the escalating conflict between Israel, Hamas, and other Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip," and urged, "An immediate humanitarian ceasefire must be implemented."
John Kirby, White House National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications, also said that "now is not the time for a general ceasefire," but added, "a temporary humanitarian ceasefire could be valuable." He further explained that the goal of a temporary ceasefire would be to supply humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and allow civilians to evacuate from the area.
Meanwhile, Egypt will open the Rafah border crossing connecting Egypt and the Gaza Strip on the 1st of next month to allow Palestinian residents injured by Israeli airstrikes to enter. Egyptian authorities are expected to admit 81 Gaza residents to treat those with serious injuries.
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