Escalation of Israeli Attacks in Gaza; US and Germany Call for Greater Protection of Civilians

As Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip intensify, the United States and Germany have urged Israel to adhere to its responsibility to protect civilians. The Israeli army announced on Friday, December 8, that in the past 24 hours, over 450 locations in Gaza were targeted by land, sea, and air. This is the highest level of attacks since the ceasefire ended last week and is about double the reported daily figures. The Gaza health authorities, controlled by Hamas, reported 350 deaths on Thursday, December 7, bringing the total death toll from the two-month Israeli operation in Gaza to over 17,170. Meanwhile, thousands more are missing and believed to be buried under rubble. Hamas, supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, killed at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in a terrorist attack on southern Israel on October 7, and took around 240 hostages, including children, women, and the elderly. In response, Israel launched extensive air, sea, and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip with the aim of destroying Hamas. The United States, Britain, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. Israeli attacks on Friday morning, December 8, were reported in Khan Younis in the south, Nuseirat camp in the center, and Gaza City in the north. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated in a press conference in Washington on Thursday that Israel should prioritize the protection of civilians. A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry emphasized that lasting peace in the Middle East will not be possible as long as Hamas has the capability to carry out attacks from Gaza. He urged Israel to avoid causing further suffering for civilians in southern Gaza and to adhere to humanitarian laws. Axios reported on Thursday, citing four American and Israeli officials, that Egypt has warned the United States and Israel that if Palestinian refugees flee to the Sinai Desert as a result of Israeli military operations, Cairo may reconsider its relations with Israel. An Arabic-speaking spokesperson for the Israeli army stated that all residents of the Jabalia and Zaitoun areas in the north, as well as Shuja'iyya and the Old City in Gaza, must leave the area. He said that in the south, those seeking shelter should move along the coast, and the main north-south route has become a battlefield. Reuters reported that in southern Gaza, the main Nasser hospital in Khan Younis is overflowing with dead and wounded, and there is no space left even on the hospital floor for new patients. Thomas White, director of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, stated on X that public order in Gaza is collapsing completely, and even some aid convoys are being looted, and UN vehicles are being attacked with stones. Rami Abdu, head of the European Human Rights Watch, has released images showing significant damage to the Great Mosque of Gaza, the main attraction of the Old City. In another development, Hamas's armed wing claimed to have repelled an Israeli special forces attempt to free hostages in the Gaza Strip. The group claimed that several soldiers were killed during this attempt and one hostage also lost their life. According to Reuters, Israel refrained from commenting on this matter and accused Hamas of psychological warfare against it. Eilon Levy, spokesperson for the Israeli government, stated in a press conference, 'We hold Hamas fully responsible for the safety and security of the hostages.' It is estimated that of the approximately 240 people taken hostage by Hamas in the October 7 terrorist attack, 137 remain in Hamas's custody. Israel has included some of the missing persons in its list of casualties. Biden reaffirmed his commitment to increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Netanyahu warned that if Hezbollah takes comprehensive action, Beirut will become another Gaza. The US ambassador to the UN did not comment on 'Guterres's call for a ceasefire' in the Israel-Hamas war. The Israeli army stated that Khan Younis is under complete siege.