Continued U.S. Air Aid to Gaza Civilians; Netanyahu: Attacks on Hamas Will Continue

Amid ongoing international pressure against the war in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Thursday, March 8, that attacks against Hamas throughout the strip, including the city of Rafah, will continue. Speaking at a graduation ceremony for several military officers at a military school, Netanyahu said, "There is international pressure, and it is increasing. But especially when international pressure increases, we must tighten our ranks and stand together against efforts to stop the war." He added that there is a "calculated effort" to blame Israel for crimes committed by Hamas, and Israel must stand against it. The Israeli Prime Minister emphasized that his country will continue operations against Hamas throughout Gaza, "including Rafah, the last stronghold of Hamas." According to Benjamin Netanyahu, "Anyone who tells us not to act in Rafah is telling us to lose the war, and that will not happen." Following the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the kidnapping of more than 250 others, Israel launched its assault on Gaza aimed at destroying this Iran-backed Islamist group. Hamas officials have repeatedly stated that if capable, they will carry out such an attack again. Hamas claims that over 30,800 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed so far due to the Israeli assault, without specifying the number of its own members killed. The Persian section of Voice of America cannot independently verify or confirm the figures provided by Hamas. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have listed Hamas as a terrorist organization. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Jordanian Air Force conducted a joint air aid operation to war-affected civilians in Gaza at 3:20 PM on Thursday, March 8, Gaza time. According to a CENTCOM statement, in this operation, which utilized C-130 aircraft from both countries and specialized air aid soldiers, the United States delivered 138,000 food rations to residents of northern Gaza. The United States, in cooperation with the Kingdom of Jordan, had also delivered the first and second shipments of its air aid to Gaza residents on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Aid to Gaza residents has significantly decreased since the war began, and over the past month, it has been delivered with longer interruptions. The Israeli government has stated that it is ready to receive more aid through two checkpoints in southern Gaza, but the United Nations and other aid agencies are unable to distribute the aid. U.S. President Joe Biden has stated that America is committed to delivering more aid to Gaza residents and will not waver from this commitment. Rocket fire towards the Golan Heights; Israeli forces targeted two positions of the Syrian army. The first deadly attack by the Houthis in the Red Sea; two sailors were killed. Israel announced that it would not reduce the number of worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque at the beginning of Ramadan. U.S.-Jordan cooperation in aid to Gaza; over 36,800 meals delivered by parachute. Efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza continue; Biden says the agreement for a ceasefire is in Hamas's hands. Despite Netanyahu's objections, the White House hosted Israel's war cabinet minister. Kamala Harris described the situation in Gaza as a "humanitarian catastrophe" and called for an immediate six-week ceasefire. The Israeli Defense Minister stated that the war in Gaza will not end without the destruction of Hamas. The first shipment of U.S. air aid to Gaza residents; CENTCOM: We are planning for the future.