Israel 'divides' Gaza Strip

AFP yesterday quoted information from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) saying that the country's army, air force and navy had joined forces to attack more than 400 targets across the Gaza Strip in the first 24 hours since the ceasefire agreement collapsed on December 1.

Bombs return to Gaza Strip on December 3 after ceasefire

Evacuation order in southern Gaza

Israel has launched an operation in southern Gaza, with airstrikes currently taking place in the city of Khan Younis and its surrounding areas. The IDF issued a statement on its X account (formerly Twitter) yesterday, warning Palestinians in Gaza to immediately evacuate Khan Younis and some surrounding areas. IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee directed civilians to what he described as refugee camps in the west of the city and provided a map with bolded areas to evacuate. According to Sky News, the IDF is trying to divide Gaza into smaller areas with the goal of controlling the southern part of the enclave.

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However, UN officials and local residents said it was difficult to comply with Israel's evacuation order, with many people lacking information amid widespread internet service disruptions and frequent power outages.

US increases pressure

Gaza health officials said that as of yesterday morning, at least 193 Palestinians had been killed and more than 650 wounded since the ceasefire collapsed. Both Hamas and Israel blamed each other for the collapse. Israel recalled its negotiating delegation from Qatar, accusing Hamas of reneging on a deal to free all women and children.

However, Saleh Al-Arouri, the number two figure in Hamas' Gaza administration, told Al Jazeera that the group was currently holding only soldiers and former Israeli civilians as hostages. Al-Arouri stressed that Hamas would not release any more hostages unless both sides ceased fire and Israel released all Palestinian prisoners.

US official urges Israel to exercise restraint in Gaza offensive

Speaking in Tel Aviv on the afternoon of December 2, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the military campaign would continue "until Israel achieves all its objectives", including eliminating Hamas forces in Gaza. "And victory can only be achieved by continuing the ground campaign", according to AFP, quoting Mr. Netanyahu.

Amid the tense situation in Gaza, US Vice President Kamala Harris said that too many innocent Palestinians had died in Gaza, while US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed that Israel had a responsibility to protect Palestinian civilians during its military campaign in Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Israel's determination to eliminate Hamas could plunge the region into a decade-long conflict.

He increased his presence.

Britain announced that it would conduct reconnaissance flights over the eastern Mediterranean, including airspace over Israel and Gaza. "The reconnaissance aircraft will be unarmed, have no combat role and their sole mission will be to locate the hostages. Only information relating to the hostage rescue process will be passed on to the authorities carrying out the mission," The Guardian reported, citing a statement from the British Ministry of Defense . In addition, the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond is preparing to arrive in the area.

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