Israel's Gaza Offensive Escalates, Killing Hamas Spokesman
The conflict has sparked a strong reaction from Hamas, which has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal and accused him of seeking to stall ceasefire talks to buy time. The Palestinian resistance has vowed to continue its operations against Israeli occupation sites, and the international community is urging both sides to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Israeli forces have killed Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua and wounded several others in a bombing in northern Jabalia, Gaza, as the country continues to bombard the region, killing 9 Palestinians in predawn attacks and displacing thousands in the past week.
The killing of Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua comes after the death of Abu Hamza, the military wing spokesman of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday along with several family members. Abu Hamza was a prominent figure in the Palestinian resistance, known for his media appearances and statements affirming the continuation of operations against Israeli occupation sites. He had announced the start of the "battle of revenge and pride" against the Israeli enemy in October 2023, emphasizing the unity of the Palestinian people and their determination to resist the occupation.
The Israeli aggression against Gaza has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, with at least 830 civilians killed and 113,800 wounded since last Tuesday. The death toll from the overall Gaza conflict is nearing 50,200. Israeli airstrikes have targeted various areas, including mosques, tents of displaced Palestinians, and cities in southern Gaza. The Palestinian resistance has launched retaliatory rocket attacks on Israel, with the Al-Quds Brigades firing two rockets on Israeli settlements.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the international community calling for an end to the violence and a negotiated ceasefire. The killing of prominent figures like Abu Hamza and Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua is likely to escalate tensions further, making a peaceful resolution to the conflict increasingly challenging.