The health ministry of the Palestinian enclave reports that Israel’s assault to drive out Hamas fighters responsible for a massacre on October 7 has left the coastal enclave in ruins, brought widespread starvation and homelessness, and killed close to 20,000 Gazans.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes the war will not end until the last 129 captives are liberated and Hamas is destroyed after its militants have killed 1,200 Israelis, despite demands from abroad to refrain from killing innocent people.

Borders of Hamas-Ruled Gaza

Beyond the borders of Hamas-ruled Gaza, the fighting has extended into the Red Sea, where Houthi troops allied with Iran have begun using drones and missiles to strike ships. The Houthis declared they would continue regardless, maybe with a sea operation every 12 hours. This led to the formation of a multinational naval operation to safeguard commerce in the region.

Whether a naval alliance is formed or not, our stance on the Palestinian issue will not change,” Houthi official Mohammed Abdulsalam told Reuters, adding that only Israeli ships or those headed for Israel will be targeted.

“Our position in support of Palestine and the Gaza Strip will remain until the end of the siege, the entry of food and medicine, and our support for the oppressed Palestinian people will remain continuous.”

Announcing the naval operation, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in Bahrain that joint patrols would be held in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which encompass a major East-West global shipping route. “This is an international challenge that demands collective action,” he said.

British maritime security firm Ambrey said on Tuesday it received information of a potential boarding attempt west of Yemen’s Aden port city, adding that the attack was unsuccessful and all crew were safe.

Some shippers are re-routing around Africa.

Deaths Mount

According to local health officials, Israel’s most recent missiles struck the southern Rafah area of Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees have gathered in recent weeks, killing at least 20 people and injuring scores more.

Locals claimed they had to use their bare hands to dig in the debris. Mohammed Zurub declared, “This is a barbarian act.”

Palestinian journalist Adel Zurub

Medical personnel said that Palestinian Journalist Adel Zurub and numerous family members were among the deceased. This brings the total number of Palestinian journalists killed to 97, as reported by the government media office managed by Hamas.

According to the health ministry, there was another attack in the north that left 13 people dead and over 75 injured in the Jabalia refugee camp.

Israel claims that it alerts people ahead of time to strikes so they may flee, and it charges Hamas with hiding in residential areas.

Child amputees Killed in Hospitals, UN Says

The Gaza health ministry said on Tuesday that 19,667 Palestinians had been killed and 52,586 wounded since Oct. 7.

UN officials voiced disbelief about the situation in hospitals, which lack supplies and safety.

“I’m furious that children who are recovering from amputations in hospitals are then killed in those hospitals,” said James Elder, spokesperson for the UN children’s agency UNICEF, saying Nasser Hospital, the largest operational one left in the enclave, had been shelled twice in the past 48 hours.

Medical staff reported that among the dead were several family members and Palestinian Journalist Adel Zurub. According to the government media bureau run by Hamas, this puts the total number of Palestinian journalists slain to 97.

The health ministry reports that at the Jabalia refugee camp in the north, there was another attack that resulted in over 75 injuries and 13 fatalities.

Israel says it warns civilians of impending strikes so they can evacuate, and it accuses Hamas of hiding in residential areas.

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