Israeli Airstrikes Claim 48 Lives in Gaza Amid Calls for Cease-Fire and Escalating West Bank Violence
In a tragic turn of events, Israeli airstrikes in southern and central Gaza overnight have resulted in the death of at least 48 individuals, half of whom were women and children, according to health officials on Thursday. The escalating violence has prompted European foreign ministers and various U.N. agencies to urgently call for a cease-fire, expressing growing concern over the deepening humanitarian crisis and the potential for starvation in the region.
Simultaneously, tensions have surged in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where three Palestinian gunmen opened fire on morning traffic at a highway checkpoint on Thursday. The attack claimed the life of one person and left five others injured, as reported by Israeli police.
Efforts to broker a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas are reportedly underway, with a member of Israel’s War Cabinet revealing new attempts late Wednesday. The proposed deal could potentially pause the conflict in Gaza and secure the release of approximately 130 Israeli hostages held by militants since the October 7 attack in southern Israel. This marks the first sign of renewed diplomatic efforts since negotiations stalled a week ago.
However, Benny Gantz, a former military chief and defense minister, reiterated that unless Hamas agrees to release the remaining hostages, Israel is prepared to launch a ground offensive into Gaza’s southernmost town, Rafah, during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which commences around March 10.
As more than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population is concentrated in Rafah after fleeing conflict in other parts of the territory, concerns about potential civilian casualties intensify. While Israel has pledged to evacuate civilians before an attack, the logistics remain uncertain, raising fears of increased harm in an assault that has already claimed over 29,400 lives.
Amidst these developments, the heads of 13 U.N. agencies and five aid groups issued a joint plea for a cease-fire, warning that an attack on Rafah could lead to “mass casualties” and deal a severe blow to the humanitarian operation, which is already struggling. The plea emphasized the urgency of opening more entry points for aid, ensuring safe passage for distribution, and releasing hostages.
The foreign ministers of 26 European countries echoed these sentiments on Thursday, calling for a pause in fighting leading to a more extended cease-fire. They urged Israel to refrain from military action in Rafah, emphasizing the already dire humanitarian situation.
In the West Bank, Thursday’s shooting at a highway checkpoint added to the region’s tensions. Hamas praised the attack in Jerusalem, labeling it a “natural response” to Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, and called for further attacks until a “fully sovereign” Palestinian state is achieved with Jerusalem as its capital. Tensions are expected to rise further in the West Bank as Ramadan approaches, historically a period marked by increased clashes, especially regarding restrictions on Palestinian worshippers heading to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City. The ongoing Gaza war and escalating West Bank violence are likely to contribute to heightened volatility during this holy month.