Israel has resumed its military operations against Hamas after ending its ceasefire, issuing orders for evacuations in Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, amid escalating tensions. The Israeli military has signaled the possibility of launching a significant offensive in the area, with the evacuations marking a critical development in the ongoing conflict.
The ceasefire, which had been in place since early March, was cut short after Israel halted all humanitarian supplies, including food, fuel, and medicine, to the Gaza Strip. The decision came as Israel pushed Hamas to accept revised terms for a truce agreement, intensifying the pressure on the Palestinian militant group. Israel’s actions also reflect its broader strategy in the conflict, which has seen an increase in both air and ground attacks since the ceasefire’s end.
Meanwhile, a funeral was held for eight Palestinian paramedics killed by Israeli forces. The paramedics, who were part of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, were killed while working in Gaza. Family members and mourners gathered at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza to bid a final farewell to the victims. Saleh Muammar’s mother, Asmahan, expressed her grief, stating that her son had been missing for days before his body was found, emphasizing her belief that Israeli forces buried the bodies to conceal their actions.
The Israeli military maintains that its forces fired on vehicles suspected of carrying Hamas operatives. However, the Palestinian Red Crescent and other witnesses contend that the paramedics were killed in cold blood while clearly identified as medical personnel, operating in ambulances.
Additionally, tensions have spilled over into southern Lebanon, where three suspects have been arrested in connection with rocket attacks launched into Israel. Lebanese authorities have apprehended two Lebanese nationals and one Syrian, although no group has claimed responsibility for the rocket fire. Hezbollah, the militant group based in Lebanon, has denied any involvement in the incident. In response, Israel conducted airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as in the southern suburbs of Beirut. These strikes marked the first since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was agreed in late November.
On the domestic front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party has condemned the arrest of Jonatan Urich, a top aide to Netanyahu, accusing the political establishment of attempting to undermine the prime minister’s rule. Urich’s arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of ties between Netanyahu’s associates and officials in the Gulf state of Qatar.
The political and military situation in Israel and its neighboring regions continues to evolve, with the escalation of violence and the complex web of political and military maneuvering shaping the region’s future.
Sources By Agencies
