Israeli troops intensify airstrikes in Gaza

New Delhi, Dec 15: The Israeli military has recovered the bodies of two Israeli soldiers who were held hostage by Hamas in an attack on southern Israel on October 7. The victims have been identified as 19-year-olds Nik Beizer and Ron Scherman.

Nik Beizer was on duty at the IDF base located at Erez Crossing, a critical route connecting Gaza and Israel when the base came under attack. Ron Scherman, also 19, was abducted while serving as a coordination and liaison officer at the Gaza Police Headquarters.

This recovery effort follows closely on the heels of the retrieval of the body of Elia Toledano, 28, who was taken hostage by Hamas during the Supernova music festival. The Israel Defence Force (IDF) has been actively working to address the tragic aftermath of these incidents, providing a glimpse into the challenges faced by the military in maintaining security in the region.

Israeli Troops Intensify Airstrike in Gaza

Overnight, Israeli troops persisted in their relentless bombardment of Gaza, resulting in casualties, including children, according to reports. The Israeli Defence Forces announced the capture and destruction of the headquarters of Hamas's Shejaiya Battalion in an eastern district of Gaza City.

IDF Spokesman Avichay Adraee shared on social media that airstrikes, tanks, and engineers were deployed to eliminate Hamas fighters in the Shejaiya Battalion. The operation included the destruction of a tunnel within the complex. The Shejaiya district has been a focal point of fierce conflict, marked by the IDF demolishing residential apartment blocks and a recent ambush in which nine Israeli soldiers were killed.

On another front, the IDF targeted "terrorist infrastructure in the heart of the city of Khan Younis," claiming to have destroyed a weapons warehouse and vehicles linked to the October 7 attacks. Palestinian health officials reported four casualties, including two children, from an Israeli airstrike on a house in Khan Younis. Additional wounded individuals were transported to Nasser Hospital.

Overnight airstrikes in Rafah, according to Palestinian news agency WAFA, resulted in casualties, with one strike hitting a housing block near a Kuwaiti hospital. Amid the escalating violence, many Gazans sought refuge in Rafah following Israeli advisories to evacuate parts of Khan Younis.

The conflict's toll continues to rise, with the health ministry in Gaza reporting over 18,700 people killed and 50,000 injured since the commencement of hostilities. The IDF states that around 1,200 Israelis were killed in an organized Hamas attack on October 7, with approximately 240 others taken hostage. Some hostages have been released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

Visiting UN National Security Advisor Discusses Israel's Military Strategy Against Hamas

In a press conference held in Israel, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan revealed that he engaged in constructive discussions with Israeli officials regarding the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Sullivan emphasized a transition from "high-intensity" fighting to more "precise" targeting of the group's leaders.

While refraining from specifying timelines for the conflict's resolution, Sullivan acknowledged that it might take months. The Israeli government reportedly communicated to Sullivan that it has no long-term plans to occupy Gaza but emphasized the need to revitalize the Palestinian Authority for a potential "negotiated outcome."

Sullivan characterized his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "constructive." He highlighted the US's expectation of tangible results in Israel's efforts to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza.

Addressing the dignity of the Palestinian people, Sullivan stressed their deserving treatment as human beings, a sentiment conveyed to the Israeli government. He accused Hamas of holding hostages in dire circumstances and using civilians as human shields, citing instances of hiding behind hospitals and schools.

Reiterating Israel's right to target Hamas within the bounds of international law, Sullivan emphasized the importance of protecting civilians. He is scheduled to meet Palestinian Authority officials in the West Bank, with talks expected to focus on the future governance of Gaza.

He emphasized the collaborative nature of the US-Israel relationship, stating, "Israel is a friend and a partner. We sit down and we consult and we talk as friends," during an appearance on Israeli TV.

UN official warns of Gaza’s deteriorating conditions, says it is unliveable

An official from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) has expressed grave concerns about the living conditions in Gaza, stating that the region is becoming "unlivable." Juliet Touma, speaking to the BBC News Channel, highlighted that recent adverse weather conditions are exacerbating the already dire situation in the strip.

Touma revealed that UNRWA has 150 additional shelters, but the pressing need for more arises due to the current ones being "overcrowded and unable to accommodate people any longer." She explained that individuals are being forced to resort to extreme measures such as "building shacks" or residing in their cars.

While UNRWA is actively bringing aid into the region, Touma noted the agency's limitations, citing restrictions to Rafah due to the "heavy bombardment" by Israel. The challenges faced by UNRWA underscore the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where living conditions continue to worsen amid ongoing conflict and adverse weather conditions.