Intense Fighting In South Gaza as Israel Vows To Shut Out UN agency

Intense fighting continued in the Gaza city of Khan Yunis, leading residents to flee further south as Israel’s military targeted the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The conflict escalated amid heightened tensions between Israel and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). The agency faced controversy as it dismissed several staff accused by Israel of involvement in a recent attack by Hamas. This development prompted key donor countries to suspend funding for UNRWA.

Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, emphasized the country’s intent to exclude UNRWA from future efforts, given its pivotal role in providing education, health, and other services in Gaza. On a broader international scale, the UN’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel must prevent potential acts of genocide in the conflict but refrained from explicitly calling for a ceasefire.

Israel’s military campaign was triggered by Hamas’s October 7 attack, resulting in numerous casualties on both sides. The conflict involved the seizure of hostages, with Israel asserting that around 132 hostages, including the bodies of at least 28 dead captives, remain in Gaza. Israel vowed to crush Hamas, leading to a significant number of casualties in Gaza, as per the Gaza health ministry.

The ground operations focused on Khan Yunis, leading to a reported death toll among militants “from close range.” Israeli forces also conducted raids on a house associated with Hamas’s Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar and a weapons warehouse in the Khan Yunis area.

The dire situation prompted Palestinians to flee, exacerbating the already crowded conditions in Rafah, near the Egyptian border. Residents faced perilous living conditions, with sewage in the streets and a risk of a complete breakdown in order, according to the UN Human Rights Office.

In the face of mounting challenges, the ICJ’s decision drew attention to Israel’s actions, with implications for potential acts of genocide. However, the broader judgement on this matter is anticipated to take years. Meanwhile, relations between Israel and UNRWA worsened, leading to the suspension of funding by key contributors, including the United States, Britain, Finland, Canada, Australia, and Italy.

Hamas called on the international community to disregard Israel’s threats against UNRWA, emphasizing the agency’s need for maximum support from donors. The Hamas government reported a “massive tank bombardment” targeting a refugee camp and Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis, with reports of hospitals facing severe constraints amid the ongoing conflict.

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