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India Times
Israeli forces launched attacks in the central Gaza Strip on Wednesday, killing at least nine Palestinians, according to health officials, with Israeli tanks conducting a limited advance into Rafah in the south. Over the past 24 hours, Israeli strikes have killed at least 81 Palestinians and wounded 198, without distinguishing between militants and civilians, the Gaza health ministry reported.
Nine months into the conflict, Palestinian fighters led by Hamas continue to attack Israeli forces using anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs. They also occasionally launched rocket barrages into Israel.
Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant asserted that military operations had achieved significant gains and created conditions necessary for a potential agreement to secure the return of hostages.
Foreign leaders including US President Joe Biden have urged that an end to fighting in Gaza lead to a post-war plan with a firm timeline for establishing a Palestinian state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and right-wing parties are against this two-state solution.
Israel vowed to eradicate Hamas after militants killed 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages in an October 7 attack. The Israeli military claims to have eliminated half of Hamas’ military leadership and killed or captured around 14,000 fighters since the conflict began. Gaza health authorities report that at least 38,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, while Israel states 326 of its soldiers have died.
Diplomatic efforts by Arab mediators supported by the US to halt hostilities have stalled, but all parties remain open to further talks. A potential deal aims to end the war and secure the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Human Rights Watch released a report accusing Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, and other Palestinian armed groups of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the October 7 attack. Hamas rejected the report, labelling it biased and demanded a retraction and apology from the organisation.
“The Human Rights Watch report adopted the entire Israeli narrative,” Hamas said in a statement.