Just hours before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to address the U.S. Congress, Israeli forces resumed their raids on the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.
Residents said the latest Israeli attacks destroyed homes east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, forcing thousands to flee west.
Residents confined to their homes in Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis, reported distress calls to the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service. However, the service was unable to reach the town.
In the past 24 hours, Israeli military strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 55 individuals, according to Gaza health officials.
Netanyahu, the Israeli leader, had scheduled an address to Congress on Wednesday and a meeting with President Biden at the White House on Thursday. Trump said he would meet Netanyahu in Florida on Friday.
South Africa has accused Israel of leading a genocide campaign against Palestinians through its military operation in Gaza, which Israel has denied at the United Nations’ highest court. The prosecutor’s decision to seek an arrest warrant against Netanyahu has caused it to respond angrily.
This week, Netanyahu suggested that an agreement to free Israeli prisoners held in Gaza may be close at hand. According to Hamas officials, Netanyahu is trying to prolong the negotiations, and there has been no shift in Israeli stance that would make an agreement possible.
For the Gaza War to come to a close, Hamas is seeking a truce. In Netanyahu’s view, the elimination of Hamas is necessary for ending the war.
