Smoke rises during an Israeli ground operation in Khan Younis, amid the continuing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on Jan. 22.IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA/Reuters
The United States on Monday called for Israel to protect innocent people in hospitals, medical staff and patients as Israeli forces stormed one hospital and put another under siege as they advanced deep into western Khan Younis in Gaza.
Residents said the bombardment from air, land and sea was the most intense in southern Gaza since the war began in October.
Troops moved for the first time into Al-Mawasi district near the Mediterranean coast, west of Khan Younis, the main city in southern Gaza. There, they stormed Al-Khair hospital and arrested medical staff, Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al Qidra told Reuters.
There was no word from Israel on the situation at the hospital, and the military spokesperson’s office had no comment. The military said later that three Israeli soldiers were killed on Monday in southern Gaza.
Qidra said at least 50 people were killed on Sunday night in Khan Younis, while the sieges at medical facilities meant dozens of dead and wounded were beyond the reach of rescuers.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on Monday said Israel had a right to defend itself but added: “We expect them to do so in accordance with international law and to protect innocent people in hospitals, medical staff and patients as well, as much as possible.”
Israel-Hamas war
As of Jan. 22
Rocket strikes by Hamas
Israeli air strikes
Military base
Clashes
Closed bordercrossings
DEAD
INJURED
Israel
Gaza
West Bank
Lebanon
1,412
25,105
368
146
8,787
62,681
4,200
Mediterranean
Sea
2
SYRIA
WEST
BANK
Tel Aviv
Jerusalem
ISRAEL
EGYPT
JORDAN
50 KM
ISRAEL
3
Mediterranean Sea
Zikim
Israeli ground advances
Kfar Aza
Evacuation zone
Nahal Oz
Be’eri
Khan Younis
1
Re’im
Kisufim
Magen
Sufa
EGYPT
1
Khan Younis: Palestinian Red Crescent Society says Israel Defense Forces “besieging” ambulance centre.
IDF troops raid tunnel in civilian area previously used to hold 20 hostages.
2
Syria: Strike kills 13, including five Iranian Revolutionary Guards.
3
Israel: Netanyahu rejects Hamas conditions for hostage release, and proposals for two-state solution.
EU foreign ministers to meet with Israeli and Palestinian counterparts.
Saudis refuse to recognize Israel without path to Palestinian state.
THE GLOBE AND MAIL, SOURCE: GRAPHIC
NEWS; OPENSTREETMAP; REUTERS
Israel-Hamas war
As of Jan. 22
Rocket strikes by Hamas
Israeli air strikes
Military base
Clashes
Closed border crossings
DEAD
INJURED
Israel
Gaza
West Bank
Lebanon
1,412
25,105
368
146
8,787
62,681
4,200
Mediterranean
Sea
2
SYRIA
WEST
BANK
Tel Aviv
Jerusalem
ISRAEL
EGYPT
JORDAN
50 KM
ISRAEL
3
Mediterranean Sea
Zikim
Israeli ground advances
Kfar Aza
Evacuation zone
Nahal Oz
Be’eri
Khan Younis
1
Re’im
Kisufim
Magen
Sufa
EGYPT
1
Khan Younis: Palestinian Red Crescent Society says Israel Defense Forces “besieging” ambulance centre.
IDF troops raid tunnel in civilian area previously used to hold 20 hostages.
2
Syria: Strike kills 13, including five Iranian Revolutionary Guards.
3
Israel: Netanyahu rejects Hamas conditions for hostage release and proposals for two-state solution.
EU foreign ministers to meet with Israeli and Palestinian counterparts.
Saudis refuse to recognize Israel without path to Palestinian state.
THE GLOBE AND MAIL, SOURCE: GRAPHIC NEWS;
OPENSTREETMAP; REUTERS
Israel-Hamas war
As of Jan. 22
Rocket strikes by Hamas
Israeli air strikes
Military base
Clashes
Closed border crossings
Ashkelon
Mediterranean
Sea
2
SYRIA
Mediterranean Sea
ISRAEL
3
Zikim
WEST
BANK
Tel Aviv
Sderot
Jerusalem
Israeli ground advances
Kfar Aza
Evacuation zone
Nahal Oz
ISRAEL
Netivot
Be’eri
GAZA
STRIP
1
Re’im
Kisufim
EGYPT
JORDAN
Ofakim
50 KM
Magen
Sufa
DEAD
INJURED
Israel
Gaza
West Bank
Lebanon
1,412
25,105
368
146
8,787
62,681
4,200
EGYPT
8 KM
1
3
Khan Younis: Palestinian Red Crescent Society says Israel Defense Forces “besieging” ambulance centre.
Israel: Netanyahu rejects Hamas conditions for hostage release and proposals for two-state solution.
IDF troops raid tunnel in civilian area previously used to hold 20 hostages.
EU foreign ministers to meet with Israeli and Palestinian counterparts.
2
Syria: Strike kills 13, including five Iranian Revolutionary Guards.
Saudis refuse to recognize Israel without path to Palestinian state.
THE GLOBE AND MAIL, SOURCE: GRAPHIC NEWS; OPENSTREETMAP; REUTERS
Israel says Hamas fighters operate in and around hospitals, which Hamas and medical staff deny.
Israel launched an offensive last week to capture Khan Younis, which it now says is the principal headquarters of the Hamas militants responsible for the Oct. 7 attacks on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel has vowed to wipe out Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist movement that rules Gaza and is sworn to Israel’s destruction.
At least 25,295 Gazans have been killed since Oct. 7, Gaza health authorities said in an update on Monday.
International concern has mounted over the Palestinian death toll from Israel’s assault on the densely populated enclave and a humanitarian crisis afflicting hundreds of thousands of people.
The United States has urged Israel to reduce civilian harm in Gaza, called on it to stop violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and has said it still believes a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is possible.
In Brussels on Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz sidestepped discussion of a two-state solution at a meeting with European Union counterparts, opting to show them aspirational videos of future infrastructure projects.
Israel has pushed back against calls for a Palestinian state, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday reaffirmed a hard line, saying any Palestinian state would pose “an existential danger” to Israel.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has circulated a discussion paper with a road map to peace that calls for a preparatory peace conference organized by the EU and Arab nations. The U.S. and U.N. were also invited to be convenors.
Washington on Monday called for an investigation and accountability “as appropriate” following the West Bank death on Friday of a 17-year-old Palestinian American, who Palestinian health officials say was killed by Israeli security forces.
The Israeli-occupied West Bank has seen a surge of violence in parallel to the Gaza war that erupted in October.
The American-born youth’s uncle told Reuters he died during clashes with the Israeli military that included stone throwing by Palestinians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video statement on Jan. 21 in which he said he stressed in his conversation with U.S. President Joe Biden on Jan. 19 that he rejects Hamas demands for a cease-fire, Israeli forces' withdrawal and the release of Palestinians held by Israel in exchange for the remaining hostages.
The Associated Press