The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza is escalating, as Israel has stepped-up military operations in the region. With the United Nations warning of “blatant disregard for basic humanity”, Israel has now expanded its war efforts to southern Gaza.
From the beginning of the conflict, Israel has stated its intent to target Hamas and the military sites around it, while also seeking to prevent rocket fire from the militant group. As a result, much of the air strikes have been concentrated in Gaza.
In recent days, Israel has intensified its air campaign, launching hundreds of airstrikes as part of the so-called “Operation Protective Edge”. The operation includes ground forces that are aiming to destroy tunnels and search for weapons caches, and naval forces to prevent weapons smuggling.
Moreover, reports indicate that Israel is using F-16 fighter jets to conduct airstrikes. The jets are believed to be fitted with “bunker-buster” bombs and as a result, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been able to target Hamas’ infrastructure and military sites in a more precise manner.
The escalation of the conflict has seen hundreds of civilians killed and thousands more displaced. The United Nations has criticized the “blatant disregard for basic humanity” shown by Israel’s attacks and warned that any further military steps taken in Gaza could have serious legal and humanitarian consequences.
However, Israel continued to press-on with its operation, and has now expanded its ground offensive into southern Gaza. This new offensive could include further air strikes and ground targets, as the IDF seeks to further reduce the capabilities of Hamas.
The conflict is ongoing, and its resolution appears to be some way off. It is essential that both sides of the conflict can come together and work towards a peaceful solution. The UN’s call for a ceasefire must be heeded and a more lasting solution found. Unless this happens, it is possible that the conflict will continue to escalate, with potentially devastating consequences.