MOSCOW, Oct. 28 The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is preparing to increase the flow of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip amid intensifying ground fighting in the enclave, the Haaretz newspaper reports, citing a military source.
«It (the Israeli army — ed.) is preparing to increase humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, amid increased offensive by Israeli forces in Gaza at night,» the report said.
According to the publication's sources, the IDF proceeds from the fact that as the population of Gaza is pushed to the south of the enclave, more humanitarian assistance will be needed there.
At the same time, Haaretz notes that the army does not intend to resume fuel supplies to the enclave at this stage.
On October 7, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented-scale rocket attack from the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, announced by the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement. After this, the organization’s fighters entered the border areas in southern Israel, where they opened fire on both military and civilians, and also took hostages. In Israel, according to local authorities, more than 1.4 thousand people were killed, including 300 military personnel, and more than 5 thousand were injured.
In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Within a few days, the Israeli military took control of all populated areas near the border with Gaza and began carrying out air strikes on targets, including civilians, in the strip. Israel also announced a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip: the supply of water, food, electricity, medicine, and fuel was stopped.
The number of victims in the Gaza Strip, according to the local Ministry of Health, exceeded 7.3 thousand people, over 18 thousand were injured. As the conflict escalates, at least 20 Russians have died, three are believed to be hostages, and several more remain missing. According to various sources, more than 200 Israelis are being held captive by Hamas.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the parties to stop hostilities. According to the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the settlement of the Middle East crisis is possible only on the basis of a “two-state” formula approved by the UN Security Council, which provides for the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem.
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict, related to the territorial interests of the parties, has been a source of tension and clashes in the region for many decades. A UN decision with the active role of the USSR in 1947 determined the creation of two states — Israel and Palestine, but only the Israeli one was created.