RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Greater than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed within the Gaza Strip for the reason that begin of the Israel-Hamas battle, the territory’s Well being Ministry stated Monday, marking one other grim milestone within the deadliest spherical of violence within the historical past of the Israeli-Palestinian battle.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to proceed the offensive till “whole victory” in opposition to Hamas, elevating fears that troops will quickly transfer into the southernmost city of Rafah on the Egyptian border, the place over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million individuals have sought refuge from combating elsewhere.
The US, Israel’s high ally, says it’s nonetheless working with mediators Egypt and Qatar to attempt to dealer one other cease-fire and hostage launch settlement. However these efforts seem to have stalled in current days, and Netanyahu angered Qatar, which has hosted Hamas leaders, bycalling on it to strain the militant group.
The Well being Ministry stated 107 our bodies have been dropped at hospitals within the final 24 hours. That brings the entire variety of fatalities to 29,092 for the reason that begin of the battle.
The ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants in its information, however says round two-thirds of these killed have been ladies and kids. Greater than 69,000 Palestinians have been wounded, overwhelming the territory’s hospitals, lower than half of that are even partially functioning.
The Well being Ministry is a part of the Hamas-run authorities in Gaza however maintains detailed information of casualties. Its figures from earlier wars in Gaza have largely matched these of U.N. companies, impartial specialists and even Israel’s personal tallies.
The battle started when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 individuals, principally civilians, and taking round 250 hostage.
Greater than 100 captives have been launched throughout a weeklong cease-fire in November in alternate for 240 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Militants nonetheless maintain round 130, a fourth of them believed to be lifeless.
Israel responded to the assault by launching one of many deadliest and most damaging navy campaigns in current historical past on the besieged enclave, which has been dominated by Hamas since 2007.
Israel says it has killed over 10,000 Palestinian militants, with out offering proof. The navy says it tries to keep away from harming civilians and blames the excessive loss of life toll on Hamas as a result of the militant group fights in dense residential neighborhoods. The navy says 236 of its troopers have been killed for the reason that begin of the bottom offensive in late October.
The battle, which reveals no signal of ending, has pushed round 80% of the Palestinians in Gaza from their properties and has left 1 / 4 of the inhabitants ravenous, in accordance with U.N. officers.
On Sunday, Benny Gantz, a retired common and a member of Netanyahu’s three-man Struggle Cupboard, warned that the offensive would develop to Rafah if the hostages aren’t freed by the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is predicted to start round March 10. The month of dawn-to-dusk fasting is usually a time of heightened tensions within the area.
Israel has stated it’s creating plans to evacuate civilians from Rafah, but it surely’s not clear the place they’d go within the devastated territory, giant areas of which have been flattened. Egypt has sealed the border and warned that any mass inflow of Palestinians might threaten its decades-old peace treaty with Israel.
The US says it’s nonetheless pushing for a truce and hostage-release, and that it could veto a U.N. Safety Council decision calling for a direct cease-fire as a result of it conflicts with these efforts.
Hamas has stated it received’t launch all the remaining hostages till Israel ends the battle and withdraws from Gaza. It’s also demanding the discharge of a whole bunch of Palestinian prisoners, together with high militants.
Netanyahu has rejected these calls for, calling them “delusional.” In a speech earlier than American Jewish leaders on Sunday, he stated strain needs to be utilized on Qatar, which performed a key position in mediating final yr’s cease-fire and hostage launch deal.
“Qatar can press Hamas as nobody else can. They host Hamas leaders, Hamas depends on them financially,” Netanyahu stated. “I urge you to press Qatar to press Hamas as a result of we wish our hostages launched.”
Qatar’s Overseas Ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, dismissed Netanyahu’s remarks as “a brand new try and stall and extend the battle for causes which have grow to be apparent to everybody,” alluding to the Israeli chief’s home political troubles.
Qatar denies funding Hamas and says its provision of support to Gaza lately was carried out in full coordination with Israel, the U.S. and different events.
“The Israeli prime minister is aware of very effectively that Qatar has been dedicated from day one to mediation efforts, ending the disaster and liberating the hostages,” al-Ansari stated.
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Magdy reported from Cairo
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