Sifte Radio

Tag: Hamas-Israel war

  • Israeli Strike on Gaza City Market Area Kills Three, Injures Dozens Amid Fragile Ceasefire

    Israeli Strike on Gaza City Market Area Kills Three, Injures Dozens Amid Fragile Ceasefire

    At least three Palestinians were killed and dozens injured after an Israeli air strike hit a residential building in one of the busiest market districts in Gaza City, according to local medics and eyewitnesses.

    The strike targeted the upper floors of the al-Kayali building as crowds of shoppers filled the streets ahead of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha. Witnesses reported that at least five missiles struck the building almost simultaneously from multiple directions, causing widespread destruction and panic across the area.

    Emergency response teams and civil defence crews rushed to the scene but faced major difficulties reaching the upper floors due to severe structural damage and heavy congestion around the market district. Footage from the aftermath showed ambulances, rescue workers, and crowds gathering around the damaged building late into the night.

    The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the Israeli military had targeted Mohammed Odeh, identified as a senior commander in Hamas’s armed wing. Israeli authorities described Odeh as one of the key planners behind the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel.

    According to the Israeli government, Odeh was responsible for attacks that resulted in the deaths, injuries, and abductions of Israeli civilians and soldiers. Neither Israel nor Hamas has confirmed whether Odeh was killed in the strike.

    The attack comes days after another Israeli operation reportedly killed Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, a former commander within Hamas’s armed wing, in a similar strike on a residential building.

    Despite a ceasefire agreement that began on 10 October, Israel has continued carrying out air strikes across Gaza. Hamas has repeatedly accused Israel of violating the truce and targeting civilians, while Israeli officials argue that military operations against Hamas members remain justified.

    The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza claims more than 800 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire took effect. Israel, meanwhile, insists Hamas has failed to comply with ceasefire terms, particularly regarding disarmament.

    Efforts to advance a US-backed peace initiative for Gaza have stalled amid ongoing regional tensions and conflict involving Iran. The proposed second phase of the peace plan included the establishment of a transitional technocratic administration in Gaza, alongside reconstruction and demilitarisation efforts, but negotiations remain deadlocked.

    The war began after Hamas launched its October 2023 attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign across Gaza that has devastated much of the territory and displaced large numbers of civilians.

    According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 72,744 people have been killed during the conflict, figures that the United Nations has described as broadly reliable.

    The latest escalation in Gaza also follows deadly Israeli strikes in Lebanon, where at least 11 people were reportedly killed. Israeli officials say the attacks targeted Hezbollah infrastructure as military operations continue across multiple fronts.

  • Israeli Airstrikes Kill 50 in Gaza Amid US Diplomatic Efforts in Lebanon

    Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have claimed the lives of at least 50 Palestinians in the past 24 hours, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The attacks have also damaged critical infrastructure, including Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern region of the territory, further complicating the already dire humanitarian crisis.

    Since the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, the ongoing Israeli military campaign has led to a staggering death toll in Gaza. At least 43,972 Palestinians have been killed, and over 104,000 have been injured, according to the latest reports. The violence followed a Hamas-led attack on Israel that resulted in 1,139 Israeli fatalities, over 200 people taken hostage, and significant destruction.

    In Lebanon, where tensions remain high due to Israeli strikes, the death toll has reached 3,516, with nearly 15,000 people injured since the conflict’s expansion into the region. The violence has escalated concerns about a broader regional confrontation involving Hezbollah, a powerful militia group based in Lebanon.

    Meanwhile, U.S. Middle East envoy Amos Hochstein has engaged in discussions in Beirut, aiming to prevent further escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. Hochstein described his meetings with Lebanese officials as “very constructive,” expressing cautious optimism that a ceasefire agreement could be brokered to avert a wider conflict.

    The intensifying humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the regional instability highlight the urgent need for international diplomacy and aid. As violence continues, the world watches closely, hoping for a resolution that can end the bloodshed and pave the way for peace.

    Source : Swifteradio.com

  • Israel Launches Airstrikes in Lebanon Amid Escalating Conflict with Gaza

    Israel Launches Airstrikes in Lebanon Amid Escalating Conflict with Gaza

    Israel has intensified its military actions in both Gaza and Lebanon, escalating a conflict that has already resulted in significant loss of life and worsening humanitarian crises. On November 8, Israeli forces conducted multiple airstrikes on Lebanese territory, including heavy bombardment in Beirut. This development follows Israel’s continuous military operations in Gaza, where civilian casualties have mounted in a siege that has now extended for over a month.

    In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes are reported to have killed at least 40 Palestinians in just one day, targeting areas from the northern to the southern regions of the enclave. Among the strikes, an assault involving helicopters reportedly hit a hospital shelter, where civilians displaced by the ongoing conflict had sought refuge. This comes as Israel aims to dismantle Hamas, though the civilian toll has prompted widespread international concern.

    The situation in Lebanon has escalated as well. Israel issued a warning to residents in southern Beirut, urging them to evacuate in advance of impending attacks. Following the warning, Israeli aircraft launched over a dozen airstrikes in this region, leveling several buildings. According to local sources, Lebanese health authorities have reported at least 3,117 deaths and 13,888 injuries since the Gaza conflict began on October 7.

    Humanitarian organizations are increasingly alarmed by the unfolding crisis. The independent Famine Review Committee, a group of international food security experts, issued an urgent call for intervention to prevent a famine in northern Gaza. According to the committee, critical action must be taken within days to alleviate the “catastrophic” conditions exacerbated by Israel’s blockade. Food, water, and medical supplies remain scarce, with reports indicating severe malnutrition and dehydration affecting large portions of Gaza’s population.

    Since the start of this conflict on October 7, the death toll in Gaza has reached over 43,552, with 102,765 injuries, according to local health sources. The initial Hamas-led incursion into Israel resulted in 1,139 Israeli fatalities and over 200 individuals taken captive. This cycle of retaliation has drawn in international actors who have issued calls for restraint, though few concrete actions have been implemented to mitigate the violence.

    The intensified Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon and Gaza are straining regional stability, as both nations face widespread destruction and a dire need for humanitarian relief.

    Source : Swifteradio.com