Reports from hospitals, via The Associated Press, indicate that Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip resulted in at least 58 Palestinian deaths overnight and into Thursday.
Following the end of a ceasefire, Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza this week. According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, Tuesday’s attacks caused over 400 Palestinian fatalities, the majority of whom were reportedly women and children.
The AP reported that the Israeli military stated it intercepted a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, early Thursday before it entered Israeli airspace.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a video shared on X on Tuesday that Hamas repeatedly refused offers to release hostages. He added that Israel refrained from military action for two weeks, hoping Hamas would change its position, but this did not occur despite Israel’s acceptance of an offer from President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. Netanyahu said that this led him to authorize the resumption of military action against Hamas.
He also stated that Israel does not deliberately target Palestinian civilians, but rather Hamas terrorists. He further asserted that when these terrorists conceal themselves in civilian areas and use civilians as human shields, they bear responsibility for any unintended casualties.
Israel is engaging Hamas in response to the group’s attack on Oct. 7, 2023.
Sen. , D-Pa., expressed his continued support for Israel during a visit to the country this week.
“Hamas does not want peace. I unapologetically, 100% stand with Israel, and demand the release of all remaining hostages. Sending this from Israel,” Fetterman said on X on Tuesday.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., posted on X on Wednesday that Hamas could end the conflict immediately by releasing the hostages in Gaza. He stated that they could have done so months ago, but instead, they have prolonged the conflict, causing devastation. Moskowitz urged America to lead international efforts to pressure Hamas to end the war and release the hostages.