RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel is intensifying its airstrikes against targets in the Gaza Strip, according to the military, in anticipation of a ground invasion against Hamas militants. The United States is concerned that this escalation could lead to a larger conflict in the region, including attacks on American troops. Meanwhile, Hamas has released two elderly Israeli women who were among the hostages captured during their attack on southern Israel last month.
Amidst the ongoing war, French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Tel Aviv for diplomatic talks and meetings with the families of other hostages held in Gaza. The situation in Gaza is dire, with limited access to food, water, and medicine due to the Israeli blockade. Despite the entry of a small aid convoy, aid distribution will soon come to a halt if fuel cannot be supplied. Overwhelmed hospitals are struggling to keep generators running to power life-saving equipment.
The two freed hostages, Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, and Nurit Cooper, 79, were taken out of Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt. Footage aired on Egyptian TV shows them being transported in ambulances. The women were captured along with their husbands in the kibbutz of Nir Oz near the Gaza border. Unfortunately, their husbands were not released.
Yocheved Lifshitz’s daughter, Sharone Lifschitz, expressed relief but remained focused on securing the release of her father and the other hostages still held in Gaza. Lifschitz emphasized that her parents are peace activists who have shown kindness to Palestinians in need.
In a recent video released by Hamas, the handover of the hostages is shown. The militants can be seen providing drinks and snacks to the dazed but composed women, and the hostages are led to Red Cross officials. On the other hand, Israel’s internal security service has released a recording of imprisoned Hamas members discussing the Oct. 7 attack. The prisoners claimed they were ordered to kill young men and capture women, children, and the elderly, with promises of financial rewards.
Both videos cannot be independently verified, and it is possible that both hostages and prisoners were acting under duress.
The death toll in Israel has exceeded 1,400, mostly civilians killed during the initial Hamas attack. Meanwhile, over 5,000 Palestinians, including minors and women, have been killed in Gaza. The toll continues to rise rapidly, with 436 deaths reported in the last 24 hours alone.
Israel announced that it launched 400 airstrikes in the past day, targeting Hamas commanders, militants preparing to launch rockets, command centers, and a tunnel shaft. The airstrikes have reportedly hit residential buildings, causing numerous casualties and trapping people under rubble.
The escalating conflict has led to mass displacement, with at least 1.4 million Palestinians fleeing their homes. Many of them are seeking refuge in U.N.-run schools and shelters.
The U.S. is closely monitoring the situation and has urged Iranian-backed Hezbollah and other groups not to join the fight. However, fighters in the region are warning of a possible escalation, including attacks on U.S. forces deployed in the Middle East, if a ground offensive occurs.
The U.S. has advised Israeli officials to delay a ground invasion to allow more time for negotiations and the potential release of additional hostages. The situation remains tense, with active conversations taking place between U.S. and Israeli officials about the potential consequences of further military action.
This report was contributed by AP journalists in Cairo, Jerusalem, Deir al-Balah, Washington, and London. For more comprehensive coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war.
