The U.N. and families of Israeli hostages are putting pressure on Israel to agree to a new cease-fire in its war with Hamas.
“The Israeli military has announced that it has entered the third stage of its ground operation in Tel Aviv.”operation against Hamas
The Israeli military has surrounded and infiltrated the important city of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. It is believed that high-ranking Hamas leaders responsible for the violent terrorist attack on October 7th are hiding there.
Unfortunately, the IDF’s aggressive tactics in Gaza have led to an increase in requests for a new cease-fire from multiple sources, including the United Nations, humanitarian organizations, and even the loved ones of the 138 Israeli hostages who are still being held in Gaza.
MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty
Some families in distress approached Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet on Tuesday to express their concerns. However, they informed CBS News that the government was determined to continue with its objective of eliminating Hamas.
Mr. Griffiths, the UN’s Relief Chief, told me that the UN will not be able to continue its operations unless there is an immediate ceasefire due to the bombing in southern Gaza, which has caused significant casualties and destruction. The UN has requested that the fighting stop. – Josep Borrell Fontelles on December 5, 2023.
Borrell stated that the U.N. has requested for the fighting to cease.
Aid groups report that as Israeli troops advance further into southern Gaza, Palestinian civilians are running out of options for seeking shelter from the ongoing attacks.
According to Volker Turk, the United Nations’ human rights leader, employees from the organization’s multiple aid groups have characterized the conditions as apocalyptic. He cautioned that in such circumstances, there is an increased potential for atrocious crimes to occur.
The World Food Program of the United Nations has released a statement urgently requesting a new humanitarian cease-fire, as the previous one allowed aid to reach 250,000 individuals. However, the current situation makes it nearly impossible to distribute aid and poses a threat to the safety of humanitarian workers. Most importantly, it is a tragedy for the innocent people living in Gaza.
Desperate family members of the remaining hostages also urged for a pause in the fighting on Tuesday. They personally confronted Netanyahu and his top aides on Tuesday evening.
Jennifer Master, along with her friends and family, had a loved one named Andrey who was one of the victims abducted by Hamas on October 7th. According to Israel, this attack resulted in the death of approximately 1,200 individuals.
During the temporary ceasefire, she and other families listened to terrifying accounts from hostages who were freed by Hamas.
Reuters
Carmit Katzir’s mother, who is 77 years old, was one of the individuals who were released. However, her brother Elad is believed to still be held captive in Gaza. According to Carmit, the hostages who were released recounted being in great danger due to Israeli airstrikes.
When asked about what she and the other families communicated to their country’s leader, Master expressed her desire for an end to the fighting.
On Wednesday, Katzir informed CBS News that her mother’s state of health significantly declined while she was being held captive. She suffered from heart complications due to the harsh living conditions and lack of nourishment. It was only after her release that she discovered her husband had been killed on the day of her capture.
The Katzir family was targeted at the kibbutz where Hamas kidnapped 79-year-old Chaim Peri, father of Lior and Noam Peri.
Reuters
Although they were afraid, they received positive updates from the released captives.
Lior informed CBS News that her father is alive, but the conditions and his physical and emotional state are unbearable.
Several relatives reported that the gathering with Netanyahu and his military advisors on Tuesday devolved into loud arguments, shouting, and disorder. There is no sign that Israel’s leadership is willing to decrease their activities in Gaza.
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Source: cbsnews.com