Israel Expands Military Operations in Gaza, Nearing Egyptian Border

Israel has declared its intention to extend its military campaign in Gaza further south, approaching the Egyptian border, following assertions of dismantling Hamas’s presence in Khan Younis.

This strategic move coincides with heightened diplomatic endeavours aimed at securing a ceasefire.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant affirmed that the successful operation in Khan Younis has paved the way for Israeli forces to advance towards Rafah, situated on the southern border of the enclave.

Rafah currently accommodates over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, many of whom are enduring challenging conditions in makeshift shelters and public facilities.

“We are making significant progress in Khan Younis, and our efforts will now extend to Rafah to eliminate ongoing terrorist threats,” stated Mr. Gallant.

Concurrently, mediators from Qatar and Egypt are intensifying efforts to elicit a positive response from Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, regarding a proposed ceasefire.

The war has displaced the vast majority of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million.

The proposed plan, formulated during recent talks in Paris, outlines an initial 40-day ceasefire period. During this time frame, Hamas would be expected to release the remaining civilian hostages currently held captive. Subsequent phases would involve the handover of Israeli soldiers and deceased hostages.

If enacted, this proposed ceasefire would mark the most extended pause since October 7, when hostilities were initiated by Hamas with an attack on Israel, resulting in significant casualties and the capture of hostages.

According to health officials in Gaza, the confirmed Palestinian death toll has now exceeded 27,000, with many additional casualties still buried under the rubble.

A Palestinian official mentioned that while Hamas was unlikely to reject the proposal outright, they would insist on guarantees that fighting wouldn’t resume, a condition Israel hasn’t agreed to yet.

In Gaza, there was a momentary sense of hope when a Qatari spokesperson’s comments at Johns Hopkins University hinted at a potential ceasefire, leading to a temporary drop in crude oil prices. However, officials in Doha and Taher Al-Nono, media advisor to Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, clarified that Hamas hadn’t responded yet.

Reports from Gaza residents indicated intensified Israeli attacks around hospitals in Khan Younis and Rafah, as well as in northern areas around Gaza City, previously declared subdued by Israel.

Despite appeals from the US, Israel’s main ally, little progress has been made in improving conditions for Gaza’s civilians. President Joe Biden has taken indirect steps, issuing an executive order targeting Jewish settlers who attack Palestinians in the West Bank amid escalating violence linked to the Gaza conflict.

Pressure mounts on President Biden following the killing of three US soldiers by a drone in Jordan, the first US casualties in the escalating violence since the start of Israel’s Gaza war in October. US officials suspect Iran’s involvement in the drone attack.

In response, the US is reportedly considering strikes in Iraq and Syria targeting Iranian personnel and facilities. Meanwhile, the US continues strikes against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen, which claims solidarity with Gaza and has been attacking shipping in the Red Sea.

Recent military actions in Yemen involved the destruction of up to ten drones. Additionally, a US Navy ship downed three Iranian-made drones and a Houthi anti-ship missile.