On the 18th of May, new deaths in Israel-Hamas fighting were reported, escalating tensions. In cross-border fighting between Israel and Hamas forces, 213 Palestinians have been killed. This includes 61 children and 36 women, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
According to Israel Police, a series of rockets launched by Hamas at the southern Eshkol area killed two Thai nationals employed in a factory and injured several others, bringing the Israeli death toll to 12.
Israel appears to be in no rush to declare a ceasefire and has pledged to continue attacking Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
On Monday, President Joe Biden of the United States advised both sides to accept a ceasefire, a request that has so far gone unheeded. However, US President told Israel that it has the right to defend itself from rocket attacks, but urged Israel to protect civilians as well. Both sides have been urged by world powers to resolve the conflict and accept a truce to bring an end to what has been called the deadliest conflict in years.
According to Reuters, Israeli troops recently shot and killed a Palestinian who rushed at them with a rifle and homemade bombs in the West Bank.
The Israeli military’s Brigadier-General Hidai Zilberman said that their troops will continue to operate in Gaza according to a priority list formulated for the next 24 hours.
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