The Israel Defense Forces increased strikes on Hamas targets in the southern Gaza Strip, a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel to do all it can to protect civilian lives and as talks to renew a ceasefire hit a deadlock.
The switch in focus toward the densely populated south followed the end of a week-long truce between Israel and Hamas. Israel said Saturday it pulled its negotiating team out of Qatar after talks on another cease-fire reached an “impasse.”
Israel’s strikes on Saturday were focused on the Khan Younis area in southern Gaza, where the military said it had struck more than 50 Hamas targets with airstrikes, tank fire and its navy.
Blinken’s message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has grown more stern on each of his three visits to the region since Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by the US and European Union,, attacked Israel on Oct. 7.
Aides bristled during Blinken’s first trip at any suggestion that Israel heed humanitarian concerns as it prepared an initial response to the Hamas attacks. The second time around, Blinken stressed that that Israel’s conduct of the war mattered.
By this week, as estimates of Palestinian deaths in Gaza since Oct. 7 climb above 15,200, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, Blinken gave a direct warning to Israel’s war cabinet — that the devastation unleashed on northern Gaza must not be repeated. More than 70%Whether it makes a difference is an open question. A senior US official, who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations, said Israel genuinely seems to be trying to meet US demands on creating civilian safe zones, and heard Blinken’s insistence that results on the ground — like fewer civilian casualties — are more important than intent.
In what may be an attempt to protect civilians, the Israel Defense Force has begun using a micro-zone map in Gaza to issue alerts to residents in certain areas, urging them to evacuate immediately.
Netanyahu, who warned during the week-long pause that Israel’s campaign wasn’t over, was similarly unsparing in his description of the nation’s goals. The senior US official said Blinken asked the Israelis how much longer they expected the campaign to last, and didn’t get a clear answer.
“Our forces are charging forward,” Netanyahu said on Friday. “We continue to fight with all our might until we achieve all our objectives — the return of all our hostages, the elimination of Hamas, and ensuring that Gaza will never again pose a threat to Israel.” of those killed in the recent Gaza attacks are said to be women and children.
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