Amid resumed violence in the southern Gaza Strip, Israel ordered additional areas for attack evacuation and continued bombardment. As the U.S. and others called for the protection of civilians following a broken truce, Israel declared its intent to fulfill its goals and expressed the need for a ground operation, with complete overhaul being the ultimate aim.
With the resumption of violence, Hamas-run Gaza reported over 200 Palestinians dead and 40,000 wounded. Israel insisted that it targeted Hamas operatives and attributed civilian casualties to the militants. However, the statistics did not differentiate between combatant and civilian fatalities, with 70% of the deaths being women and children.
As the conflict escalated, Israel’s recent attacks and haphazard evacuation announcements caused confusion and additional distress among Palestinians. The Israeli military provided a map of Gazan evacuation zones, but this only baffled residents further due to its lack of clarity. Consequently, the renewed offensive has heightened concerns of tens of thousands of civilians seeking refuge in the increasingly crowded southern region and the possibility of hostilities encroaching into Egyptian territory.
The recent warfare’s impact on Gaza’s civilians and its pressing need for diplomatic and humanitarian aid have prompted discussions between the U.S., regional leaders, and at COP28. The renewed hostilities and the collapsed truce have only intensified worries for hostages, with families of remaining captives losing hope of their loved ones being released anytime soon.
The rekindled fighting has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with its population displaced and facing shortages of essential supplies and aid. The ongoing violence and blockade have severely hindered humanitarian operations within Gaza, heightening fears of a catastrophic situation for Palestinian civilians. CBS News continued to cover the developments in the region.
