The Israeli military has declared its intention to eliminate Hamas in Gaza as airstrikes target the group's senior leaders and lead to numerous civilian casualties. This escalation of the conflict follows a recent attack by Hamas on Israeli-border communities, resulting in a high number of casualties and kidnappings.
This incursion has disrupted the longstanding standoff between Israel and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and its over 2 million inhabitants. Unlike previous military operations that left Hamas in place, Israeli leaders are now considering a ground invasion to permanently change the situation. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, announced that Israel aims to dissolve the governance and sovereignty of Hamas.
The toll in Gaza from six days of airstrikes has been devastating, with a large number of casualties, including children and women. Humanitarian organizations are issuing urgent warnings about the consequences of a military campaign in a densely populated area that is already suffering from a blockade that limits the entry of goods and exit of people. Conditions in Gaza's hospitals are described as catastrophic, and the lack of electricity poses a severe risk to the functioning of medical facilities.