In Gaza, an escalating humanitarian crisis, marked by severe shortages of essential supplies such as food, water, and fuel, has prompted Israeli forces to prepare for a long-anticipated ground invasion against Hamas. The situation has developed following a surprising attack by Hamas on October 7, triggering Israel's relentless bombing campaign that has tragically claimed the lives of over 1,300 people, predominantly civilians. President Joe Biden, recognizing the gravity of the situation, canceled his scheduled trip to Colorado, emphasizing the urgency of diplomacy.
In a candid "60 Minutes" interview on Sunday, President Biden conveyed a powerful message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, cautioning against an Israeli occupation of Gaza as a "significant mistake." The President emphasized that Hamas and its extremist elements do not represent the entire Palestinian population.
President Netanyahu extended a formal invitation to President Biden to visit Israel, which is presently under consideration. Concurrently, Israeli shelling has wreaked havoc on neighborhoods, while a ban on food and fuel imports, coupled with electricity shortages, has driven Gaza to the brink of catastrophe. The death toll in Gaza has tragically reached approximately 2,750 individuals.
Last Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces deployed tanks and troops along the border and, by Friday morning, had ordered almost one million residents to evacuate Gaza City. Despite the imminent commencement of a ground offensive, expected to be protracted and devastating from a humanitarian perspective, no official declaration has been made thus far.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has embarked on an intensive diplomatic mission aimed at de-escalating the conflict, visiting countries including Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and most recently, China.
Upon returning to Israel, Secretary Blinken met with Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss "engagement with partners in the region" and the "United States' close coordination with the UN." Blinken reaffirmed unwavering support for Israel's right to self-defense against Hamas, underscoring the U.S.' commitment to providing the necessary support.
Secretary Blinken's diplomatic endeavors have yielded some tangible outcomes, with Israel restoring the water supply to parts of southern Gaza. Egypt, meanwhile, has permitted the entry of oil tankers and supply trucks into Gaza, offering the potential for foreign passport holders to evacuate. Nevertheless, the blockade remains in place until Hamas releases its captives.
The prospects of permitting essential supplies into Gaza and the potential opening of the border for foreign passport holders remain uncertain. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with Gaza's hospitals poised to run out of generator fuel within the next 24 hours.
Tensions have surged along Israel's northern border with Lebanon. Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, has claimed responsibility for targeting Israeli surveillance cameras at military sites in the region and has announced intentions to attack five Israeli military posts. Over the weekend, Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters engaged in rocket fire exchanges, resulting in seven casualties, including four Hezbollah members. Israel has evacuated multiple communities along its northern border.
In response to the evolving situation, Prime Minister Netanyahu warned Iran not to provoke Israel in the north, emphasizing that the consequences would be far more severe than those experienced during Israel's 2006 conflict with Hezbollah.