20-12-2023 (GAZA) Israeli forces continued their relentless assault on the devastated Gaza Strip on Tuesday (Dec 19), while Yemen’s Houthis pledged to defy a US-led naval mission and persist in targeting Red Sea shipping in support of the ruling Hamas movement in the Palestinian enclave.
Israel’s ongoing campaign to eradicate Hamas militants, responsible for a massacre on October 7, has left the coastal enclave in ruins, leading to widespread hunger, homelessness, and an estimated death toll of nearly 20,000 Gazans, according to the health ministry of the Palestinian enclave.
Under pressure from foreign entities to minimize civilian casualties, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the war will not cease until the remaining 129 hostages are freed and Hamas is obliterated in response to the killing of 1,200 Israelis by its fighters.
The conflict has extended beyond Gaza, with Iran-aligned Houthi forces in the Red Sea targeting vessels with missiles and drones. This prompted the establishment of a multinational naval operation to safeguard commercial activities in the area. However, the Houthis announced their intention to persist with their attacks, potentially conducting a sea operation every 12 hours.
“Our stance on the Palestinian issue will not change, regardless of whether a naval alliance is formed or not,” stated Houthi official Mohammed Abdulsalam to Reuters, clarifying that only Israeli ships or those en route to Israel would be targeted. “We will continue to support Palestine and the Gaza Strip until the siege ends, and the entry of food and medicine is ensured. Our support for the oppressed Palestinian people will remain unwavering.”
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, announcing the naval operation in Bahrain, emphasized the need for collective action in addressing this international challenge. Joint patrols will be conducted in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which encompass a crucial global shipping route.
On Tuesday, British maritime security firm Ambrey reported receiving information about a potential boarding attempt west of Yemen’s Aden port city. The firm stated that the attack was unsuccessful, and all crew members were unharmed.
Some shipping companies are opting to reroute vessels around Africa to avoid the volatile region.
Mounting Death Toll in Gaza
In Gaza, the latest Israeli missiles struck the southern Rafah area, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees have sought shelter in recent weeks. Local health officials reported that at least 20 people were killed and dozens more injured as they slept in their homes.
Survivors recounted having to dig through the rubble with their bare hands. Mohammed Zurub, who lost 11 family members in the attack, condemned the act as barbaric.
In the north, another strike hit the Jabalia refugee camp, resulting in the death of 13 people and approximately 75 injuries, according to the health ministry.
Local Palestinians reported an escalation in Israeli aerial and tank bombardment in Jabalia as darkness fell on Tuesday.
Israel claims that it provides advance warnings of strikes to allow civilians to evacuate and accuses Hamas fighters of using residential areas as hiding places and using hospitals and schools as shields. Hamas denies these allegations.
During a briefing on Tuesday, Israeli military officials justified the heavy civilian casualties as an unavoidable consequence of the country’s intensive campaign to dismantle Hamas and counter the militants’ urban warfare tactics. Despite global concerns about the significant loss of life, the officials argued that the air force had conducted “thousands and thousands of attacks” that often required substantial firepower to target Hamas’ underground tunnel network.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, during his visit to Israel on Monday, emphasized the moral duty and strategic imperative of protecting civilians in Gaza. He warned that excessive violence would breed resentment, benefiting Hamas and making peaceful coexistence more challenging in the long run.
Over 90% of the Population Displaced
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that over 60% of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed or damaged, leaving more than 90% of the population displaced among the 2.3 million residents.
In the ground war, where Israel has lost 132 soldiers, tanks advanced further into the southern city of Khan Younis and shelled a market area, meeting heavy resistance from residents.
Thousands of Hamas fighters, positioned in tunnels, are engaging in guerrilla-style warfare against Israeli forces.
“The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) continues to target Hamas terrorist infrastructure and operatives in the Gaza Strip,” stated the military in a released statement.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog indicated on Tuesday that the country would be open to another foreign-mediated “humanitarian pause” in the fighting to secure the release of additional hostages held by Hamas and facilitate the delivery of aid to the besieged Gaza Strip.
However, Basem Naem, a senior Hamas official based outside Gaza, ruled out further negotiations on prisoner exchanges while the war continued. He expressed Hamas’ willingness to consider any initiative that could bring an end to the conflict and alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.
