Israel Increases Security Measures Around Gaza City as Death Toll Surpasses 9,000

Israel has stated that it has surrounded the Gaza Strip’s largest city, a focal point in its efforts to combat Hamas. The United States is poised to urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consider temporary ceasefires to allow humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave.

In response, the military wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, issued a warning to Israel, stating that their invading soldiers would return “in black bags.” Spokesman Abu Obeida emphasized, “Gaza will be the curse of history for Israel.”

The warning from Hamas came after Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari confirmed that Israeli troops had successfully encircled Gaza City after days of expanding ground operations. Hagari also noted that the concept of a ceasefire was not currently under consideration.

The escalating casualties among Palestinian civilians and critical shortages of essential supplies such as food, water, medicine, and fuel have led to increased calls from global leaders for a halt in the fighting or a ceasefire.

According to Gaza health authorities, the death toll in Gaza has reached at least 9,061 people since Israel initiated its assault on the enclave, which is home to 2.3 million people.

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern about the forced evacuation of hospitals in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that it would put the lives of hundreds of patients at risk. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for a humanitarian pause in the Israel-Hamas conflict to assist the thousands of injured individuals and chronically ill patients. He stated, “We’re running out of words to describe the horror unfolding in Gaza.”

In another development, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is expected to deliver his first public comments since the recent conflict between Hamas and Israel. Hezbollah has been engaged with Israeli forces along the border, resulting in the deadliest escalation since the 2006 war with Israel. Nasrallah’s speech is highly anticipated as it may provide insights into Hezbollah’s role in the ongoing conflict.

Israel continues to bomb in the vicinity of Gaza’s Al-Quds Hospital, which is currently sheltering nearly 14,000 displaced Palestinians. Israeli shelling and bombing in the area have persisted for several days, and Al-Quds Hospital, along with other hospitals in northern Gaza, has received evacuation warnings from Israeli forces.