Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday that Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza “will be a prolonged struggle” and is far from reaching a conclusion. This announcement followed Netanyahu’s earlier statement that the military was “intensifying” operations in Gaza. During a special parliamentary session on Monday, shouts from family members of hostages held in Gaza interrupted Netanyahu. These family members held posters and signs displaying photos and names of their loved ones.
Within the last 24 hours, the health ministry in central Gaza, controlled by Hamas, reported at least 250 fatalities and 500 injuries. Since the conflict commenced in early October, the total number of casualties has surpassed 20,000.
Officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) visited hospitals in Gaza, where they were exposed to “distressing narratives” of human suffering.
