What's happened
Israeli forces are intensifying attacks in the Gaza Strip, focusing on the Jabalia refugee camp and Rafah city. The United Nations has warned against a full-scale ground attack on Rafah, emphasizing the potential for a humanitarian disaster. U.S. President Joe Biden has called an Israeli ground offensive against Rafah a 'red line,' threatening to withhold weapons shipments.
Why it matters
The escalation of Israeli attacks in Gaza, particularly in densely populated areas like the Jabalia refugee camp, raises concerns about civilian casualties and humanitarian crises. The international community, including the U.S. and the UN, is urging for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further escalation and mitigate the impact on civilians.
What the papers say
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate halt to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, emphasizing the need for a humanitarian ceasefire and increased aid to the besieged territory. The Israel Defense Forces have expanded evacuation orders in Rafah despite international outcry, citing the need to address Hamas's military presence in the area.
How we got here
The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has a long history rooted in territorial disputes, security concerns, and the humanitarian situation in the region. Previous military confrontations have resulted in significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage, exacerbating the already dire living conditions in Gaza.
More on these topics
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Rafah is a Palestinian city in the southern Gaza Strip. It is the district capital of the Rafah Governorate, located 30 kilometers south of Gaza City. Rafah's population of 152,950 is overwhelmingly made up of former Palestinian refugees.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.