Gaza – On Saturday evening, the Israeli army acknowledged the killing of a thousand Palestinians and the arrest of a thousand others in the northern Gaza Strip governorate, which has been subjected to genocide and ethnic cleansing for more than a month.
Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy claimed, in a statement issued by the army, that the dead and detained Palestinians were “military personnel.”
Halevy said, while assessing the situation in the Jabalia area, north of the Gaza Strip: “The fact that you are here within 3 weeks sums up a major achievement, which is the killing of a thousand terrorists, and the capture of a thousand others, and it is a strong blow to Hamas.”
Halevy pointed out, “Reaching an agreement to exchange prisoners is complicated, but we are committed to the return of our kidnapped citizens and soldiers, and we are ready to pay the price and return them.”
He stressed that the military attack would continue “without delay to achieve safety in the (Israeli) towns surrounding” the Gaza Strip.
On October 5, the Israeli army began an unprecedented bombardment on areas in the northern Gaza Strip, before invading it the next day under the pretext of “preventing the movement of Palestinian factions from regaining their strength,” while the Palestinians say that Israel wants to occupy the region and displace them.
This operation resulted in the killing of about 1,800 Palestinians, including women, children, and the elderly, according to official data. The army also deliberately targeted women and children during the operation, using its drones, according to previous testimonies from northern Gaza.
This operation also caused the health system to be out of service, according to statements by government officials, in addition to the cessation of the work of the Civil Defense Service and ambulances belonging to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Despite this, the three main hospitals in the governorate, “Kamal Adwan, the Indonesian, and Al-Awda,” are trying to operate with minimal capabilities, with one or two doctors, and in light of the exhaustion of their stock of medicines and medical consumables, to provide the minimum service to the wounded and sick.
This situation is also exacerbated by the state of isolation imposed by the Israeli army on the governorate by cutting off the communications network and the Internet.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with absolute American support, has been committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, leaving more than 146,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing, amid massive destruction and famine that killed dozens of children and the elderly, in one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world. .
Israel continues its massacres, ignoring the UN Security Council resolution to end them immediately, and the orders of the International Court of Justice to take measures to prevent acts of genocide and improve the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Anatolia
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**Interview with Dr. Amal Nour, Middle East Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Nour. Let’s discuss the recent developments in Gaza, specifically the Israeli army’s acknowledgment of the killing of over a thousand Palestinians. How significant is this statement in the context of the ongoing conflict?
**Dr. Nour:** Thank you for having me. The Israeli army’s admission highlights a pivotal moment in this ongoing conflict. The classification of the casualties as “military personnel” raises serious questions about the broader implications of their military operations. While the Israeli government frames this as a campaign against terrorism, many human rights organizations argue that such actions may amount to disproportionate use of force.
**Editor:** Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy stated that the military will continue its operations without delay. What does this suggest about Israel’s strategy moving forward?
**Dr. Nour:** Halevy’s remarks indicate a firm commitment to a military approach, suggesting that they believe offensive operations are necessary to secure their borders and dismantle Hamas’s capabilities. However, this strategy potentially exacerbates tensions and leads to further loss of civilian life. There is a risk that continued military pressure will only deepen the cycle of violence and retaliation.
**Editor:** He also mentioned the complexity of reaching a prisoner exchange agreement. Can you elaborate on the challenges surrounding this issue?
**Dr. Nour:** Yes, the dynamics of prisoner exchanges are inherently complicated, especially in the context of ongoing hostilities. Both sides have significantly different goals and narratives surrounding the captured individuals. Hamas holds prisoners for leverage, while Israel seeks the return of its soldiers and civilians. The emotional and political weight of these discussions often complicates negotiations, making any agreement difficult to achieve under the current circumstances.
**Editor:** how do you assess the international response to the current situation in Gaza?
**Dr. Nour:** The international community has been largely divided. Some nations express concern over civilian casualties and call for restraint, while others support Israel’s right to defend itself. This fragmentation often results in inadequate and inconsistent responses, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire. There is an urgent need for a unified approach that prioritizes humanitarian aid and a path towards a sustainable ceasefire to address the root causes of the conflict.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Nour. Your insights are invaluable in understanding this complex and tragic situation.
**Dr. Nour:** Thank you for addressing this critical issue. It’s important we continue to discuss these developments and advocate for ways to alleviate human suffering.