The Israeli military has announced that it is intensifying its operations in the southern Gaza Strip, prompting hundreds of thousands of people to seek safety. Hospital officials have reported that Israel has bombed an area in the south where civilians were instructed to take shelter. At least 18 people have been killed and many others injured near Kuwait Specialty Hospital, according to hospital staff. The Israeli military claims that the strike targeted a former battalion commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group. The Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant, has described the strikes as a crucial part of the mission to eradicate Hamas and its weapons caches. Meanwhile, Palestinian health officials claim that numerous civilians have been killed in the raids, and a United Nations official has reported that Israeli forces fired at a U.N. convoy of armored vehicles returning from an aid mission in the northern part of the territory. South Africa has filed an application with the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of committing acts in Gaza that are “genocidal in character.” The Israeli Foreign Ministry has rejected the accusation, placing the blame on Hamas for using civilians as human shields. Amidst calls for a cease-fire, the Israeli military has admitted to causing unintended harm to civilians in two strikes this week. Israeli forces are currently moving into the community of Khirbat Ikhza’a in southern Gaza. The conflict has displaced approximately 85% of Gaza’s population, with aid efforts being hampered by ongoing military operations.
