Hamas carried out an attack on and killed Israel troops in an aid crossing on Sunday night, dashing hopes for an end to the violence in Gaza.
Is Violence Ending in Gaza Soon?
The escalation came as the latest round of ceasefire talks were ‘near to collapse’, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flatly ruling out any end to the war.
It follows after US President Joe Biden reportedly putting a shipment of ammunition bound for Israel on hold amid university campus protests against his support for the country.
About the Attack
Ten rockets were launched from close to civilian shelters in southern Gaza towards the Kerem Shalom crossing yesterday – killing three soldiers and injuring 11, the Israeli military said.
As a result, it was closed to aid trucks travelling from Israel, just as the head of the UN World Food Programme warned of a ‘full-blown famine’ in northern Gaza.
Israel Reacts
The Israeli military has since branded the attack ‘a clear example of the terrorist organisation’s systematic exploitation of humanitarian facilities and spaces, and their continued use of the Gazan civilian population as human shields’.
But Hamas sources insisted the target was an Israeli military base and denied using civilians as human shields.
What Will Happen Now?
Before now, Mr Netanyahu said Israel is willing to pause fighting to secure the release of more than 130 hostages believed to be held by Hamas.
But Hamas insists any ceasefire must be part of an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.
Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant warned the deadlock meant further military action targeting Rafah – where more than a million displaced Gazan residents have taken refuge – would ‘begin in the very near future’.
