Hamas Accused of Rocket Launches from Gaza’s Humanitarian Zones
Israel says Hamas fired rockets on Thursday from “humanitarian zones” in the southern Gaza Strip, where thousands of Palestinians have fled for safety.
According to the Israeli military, photos, video, and satellite images show 14 rockets had been fired toward Israel from several different locations.
Some of the rockets were fired from Al-Mawasi, an area where aid groups said thousands of people had sought shelter in “rickety tents made of wood and plastic, with little food, medicine and water.”
Hamas has not responded to Israel’s claims.
The video shows a rocket-launching position located just about 109 yards from the edge of a tent city.
According to the U.N., the rockets seem to show that there are no safe places in Gaza for the nearly 2 million people.
According to reports, about 85 percent of the total population has been displaced since the war started.
“They have all squeezed into an area that is less than one-third of Gaza’s territory,” according to the U.N.
U.N. officials have recommended that civilians take shelter in buildings such as schools and hospitals, protected under international law. However, Israel has said Hamas is using many of those places as command centers.
Aid has also been limited as civilian access points have been closed or restricted. Martin Griffiths, the chief humanitarian official at the United Nations, said that negotiations to open a second inspection site would be “a huge boost” for aid deliveries.
According to Politico, efforts to have hostages released are also facing roadblocks.
More than 130 hostages are still being held inside Gaza.
Yesterday I went on The View and discussed why we desperately need a permanent ceasefire to save innocent lives and bring the hostages home safely.
Visit https://t.co/rBrLAE873q to learn more about how you can use your voice to call for a ceasefire. pic.twitter.com/rZRXvLwlNS
— Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) December 7, 2023
The Israeli military has also said forces have been fighting in close-quarters combat, killing “dozens” of armed Hamas soldiers. They’ve also located weapons caches and underground infrastructure.
The military also added that it took hundreds of suspected Hamas operatives into custody this week. They have been transferred and are slated to be questioned.
“We question and investigate who among them is connected to Hamas and who is not,” Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesperson, said in a televised briefing.
The Hamas attacks on Oct. 7 killed about 1,200 people in Israel, according to Israeli officials. Israel’s counterattacks have killed more than 15,000 people in Gaza.
Photo Courtesy: ©Getty Images/Dan Kitwood / Staff
Video Courtesy: CNBC TV 18 via YouTube
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
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