Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing intense criticism from opposition leaders over his handling of a captive exchange deal with Palestinians. Yair Lapid, a former premier, accused Netanyahu of prioritizing political interests over the return of hostages and Israel’s security.
The situation has led to increased tensions in the region, with reports emerging of a “major bombing operation” by the Israeli army on southern Lebanon. The attack occurred just hours after seven Lebanese detainees were handed over to the UN peacekeeping mission.
The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah remains intact, but both sides continue to accuse each other of violating the deal. In the Gaza Strip, civilians are being denied access to essential services due to an ongoing siege by Israeli forces.
Critics argue that Netanyahu’s government is employing a strategy known as “General’s Plan,” which involves forcibly evacuating populations from specific areas in order to eliminate perceived threats. The UN aid coordination office has reported that Israeli authorities have repeatedly denied requests to reach besieged areas of the North Gaza governorate to deliver food and water.
The situation at Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few medical facilities still operational in the area, has worsened with a power outage caused by Israeli drone attacks. The hospital’s director warned that communication between medical staff had been cut off, leaving patients without access to care.
As the conflict escalates, humanitarian agencies are calling for increased action to protect civilians and provide essential aid to those affected. The international community is urging Netanyahu to take immediate steps to address the crisis and ensure a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/12/22/live-israeli-forces-kill-10-in-gaza-fire-tanks-drones-at-hospital