In a tense moment, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited infantrymen stationed outside the Gaza Strip, delivering a cryptic message: “Are you ready for the next stage? The next stage is coming.” The soldiers nodded in response, as the video released by his office revealed. However, Netanyahu did not elaborate on the details of this ominous “next stage.”
This statement occurred amidst escalating tensions as the deadline for the evacuation of a hospital in Gaza City passed. Israeli forces had ordered the evacuation of Al Quds hospital, but the Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that the hospital couldn’t be safely evacuated. Despite the ongoing conflict, the medical facility continued to care for the sick and wounded.
Simultaneously, Israel marked the end of a “safe passage” window, during which Palestinians from northern Gaza could travel without harm. The Israeli military, enforcing a total siege on the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, had encouraged citizens to move south toward the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, anticipating its possible reopening amid the worsening humanitarian crisis.
Gaza, home to 2.3 million Palestinians, has been under relentless Israeli bombardment, resulting in devastating casualties. Over 2,200 people, a quarter of them children, have lost their lives, and nearly 10,000 have been wounded. The United States government has urged its citizens in Gaza to prepare for possible evacuation and move towards the Rafah border, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
The situation continues to escalate, causing deep concern globally and emphasizing the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict to prevent further loss of life and suffering.