On Hamas' 36th founding anniversary, Israel expressed a grim birthday message, hoping it would be the last for the militant group as they continued their military campaign to dismantle Hamas' control in Gaza. The conflict, spurred by a significant attack on October 7 that left more than 1,200 dead, has raged for three months, resulting in over 18,500 fatalities in Gaza.
Israel's military response to the rocket attacks included a blend of air, sea, and land operations, with an overt intention to completely eradicate Hamas' presence in the region.
As Gaza faces a dire humanitarian crisis, residents struggle for basic necessities, paying exorbitant prices for food. The offensive has devastated daily life, with many turning to desperate measures for sustenance. Despite international concerns, aid distributions are sporadic due to ongoing hostilities and mobility challenges on main roads, particularly in North Gaza, which remains in ruins after a failed week-long truce.
Meanwhile, the West Bank is experiencing significantly heightened violence, unseen in nearly two decades.
Internationally, the United States has been criticized for supporting Israel's right to self-defense, even vetoing a UN Security Council ceasefire proposal. Although US President
Joe Biden and his National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan have called for restraint and protection of civilian lives, Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, insist on continuing the offensive, disregarding the duration of the conflict or the level of international support.
The Israeli government also faces disagreement with the US over Gaza's post-war governance, making it clear that they plan to press on with the military campaign until what they consider a victory.