Israeli troops have pushed into the heart of Khan Younis, the largest city in the southern Gaza Strip, after a night of heavy bombardment. The Israeli military described Tuesday as the most intense day of fighting since the ground operation began in late October. The assault marks a significant escalation in the campaign against Hamas, which Israeli leaders say is now shifting from Gaza City to the south.
The renewed fighting has deepened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The UN World Food Programme warned that the resumption of hostilities is intensifying the hunger crisis, while the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council described the destruction as 'among the worst assaults on any civilian population in our time and age.' Hamas-run health authorities report that over 16,200 people have been killed in Israel's retaliatory campaign, including some 7,000 children.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the use of overwhelming force, arguing that it is the only way to finish the job quickly. However, US officials have begun to voice disquiet over Israel's tactics. In a leaked recording of a meeting with recently released hostages and families of those still held, a former hostage accused Netanyahu of prioritising politics over the safe return of the remaining 138 captives, drawing applause from those present.
Meanwhile, the US has announced a visa ban on Israeli extremists involved in attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken warning of targeted action. The ban will also apply to Palestinians accused of violence. Attacks by Israeli settlers have surged since the start of the war, with Palestinians accusing settlers of using the conflict as an opportunity to seize land.
Netanyahu also challenged the international community to condemn the sexual violence alleged to have occurred during the 7 October Hamas attacks, saying, 'Where the hell are you?' The BBC has seen evidence of rape, sexual violence, and mutilation of women during the attacks, which killed 1,200 people and saw around 240 taken hostage.
