New Delhi: The death toll in Gaza continuing to rise, Hamas made a desperate call to Arab and Muslim countries to take “immediate action” against what it described as an “Israeli genocide.” The Palestinian militant group, which rules the Gaza Strip, said these nations hold “direct moral and political responsibility” to end the violence.
Israel resumed its military offensive on Tuesday morning, bringing an end to the ceasefire that had been in effect since Jan. 19. Israeli bombardments have so far killed 504 people in Gaza in the last three days, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, including 200 children and teenagers under 18. One of the victims was a newborn baby killed in overnight strikes between Wednesday and Thursday.
“The ongoing massacres impose direct political and moral responsibility on the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to stop the genocide that is taking place under the eyes of the entire world,” Hamas said in a statement. “We urge Arab and Islamic states to act quickly at international bodies, especially the UN Security Council, and to take immediate steps to stop the aggression.”
And in response to that Israeli assault, Hamas fired rockets toward Tel Aviv on Thursday, its initial military response since a ceasefire failed to hold. The Israeli military reported intercepting one rocket and landing two others in open territory without any injuries.
The Israeli military said it had resumed ground operations in southern Rafah and, at the same time, deployed tanks to cover the Netzarim corridor separating northern and southern Gaza. Israeli airstrikes have killed many Hamas leaders, including the heads of Gaza’s government and security services, according to some reports.
The latest flare-up comes after Israeli politicians and military officials rejected proposals to extend the ceasefire and demand the return of all hostages still in Hamas’ custody. Israeli officials say Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, 24 of them thought to be alive.