Israel enters northern Gaza, bombards Rafah without making progress

Israel’s tanks made a bold move into the heart of Jabalia in northern Gaza on Thursday, facing fierce resistance from militants in the area. The militants retaliated with anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs, creating a tense and volatile situation on the ground. Meanwhile, in the south, Israeli forces pounded Rafah without making any significant advancements, according to Palestinian residents and militants.

The slow progress of Israel’s offensive, which began more than seven months ago in response to a deadly cross-border raid by Hamas, underscored the challenges in eradicating the militant group as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had aimed to do.

Armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad have been able to fight back across the Gaza Strip, utilizing heavily fortified tunnels to launch attacks in various areas. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated that more troops would be deployed in Rafah, where several tunnels had been destroyed.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with a rising death toll, widespread malnutrition, and international aid efforts hampered by the ongoing violence. Israel accuses Hamas of diverting aid and insists on eliminating the organization for its own protection and to secure the release of hostages held by the militants.

As the conflict continues to escalate, the United States anchored a temporary floating pier in Gaza to boost aid deliveries, but challenges remain in distributing aid effectively. The United Nations emphasized the importance of land access for aid delivery, highlighting the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Ceasefire and hostage release talks are at a standstill, with both sides unwilling to compromise. The situation remains volatile, with no clear resolution in sight as the conflict in Gaza shows no signs of abating.