Gaza War Update: Evacuations Stall as Hamas and Israel Trade Blame; Death Toll Rises to 9,500

Accident – death – Obituary News : Evacuations of foreign-passport holders and the injured from the Gaza Strip to Egypt have hit a roadblock as Hamas and Israel trade accusations, causing a stall in the implementation of a deal. This development comes as Arab states continue to demand an immediate cease-fire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken proposes “humanitarian pauses” as an alternative.

Secretary Blinken, who is currently on a Middle East tour, plans to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Sunday. This meeting comes amidst mounting concern over the escalating death toll in Gaza, as Israeli forces vow to eliminate Hamas following the militant group’s attack on Israel on October 7th.

Israel’s defense minister has announced that the army has encircled Gaza City from the north and south in recent days, engaging in fierce battles in built-up areas. The Israeli Defense Forces have been targeting Hamas militants through close-quarter combat and airstrikes on infrastructure, weapons depots, observation posts, and command and control centers in Gaza. The military reported that over 2,500 Hamas targets have been struck since the beginning of the ground operation about a week ago.

However, the evacuation of individuals from Gaza to Egypt appears to have stalled. The Rafah Crossing Authority in Gaza has not published any list of people allowed to cross into Egypt, suggesting that the implementation of the deal has been hindered by the ongoing blame game between Hamas and Israel.

According to the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, there has been no movement of dual nationals, internationals, or patients from Gaza to Egypt on November 4th. However, more than 1,100 individuals crossed on November 2nd and 3rd. The UN also reported that the fighting in Gaza has resulted in a total of 9,488 deaths, including 3,900 children, with another 2,000 people missing.

US President Joe Biden has acknowledged progress in organizing a “humanitarian pause” in the Israel-Hamas war. Biden made this statement during a brief comment to reporters, without providing further details.

In France, a Jewish woman was stabbed at her home in Lyon, and an antisemitic inscription was found on her door. The incident has sparked outrage, with the city’s mayor condemning the surge in violence.

Meanwhile, Israel’s defense minister called on Palestinians in Gaza to kill Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, stating that it would spare them further suffering. The Israeli military has completed the encirclement of Gaza City and is engaged in intense battles in the area.

Amidst these developments, the evacuation deal allowing foreigners and dual nationals to leave Gaza is at risk of collapsing. Hamas accuses Israel of targeting ambulances and blocking wounded Palestinians from seeking treatment in Egypt, while a US official claims that Hamas has been exploiting the deal to evacuate its injured fighters.

Secretary Blinken’s proposal for “humanitarian pauses” instead of an immediate cease-fire has caused a rift between the US and key Arab allies, who insist on an immediate halt to hostilities. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry emphasized the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and called for an unconditional cessation of hostilities.

The situation in Gaza remains highly volatile as efforts to reach a resolution continue. It is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize the protection of civilians and work towards a sustainable and lasting peace in the region..