Israel-Hamas War The United States and Russia, along with several other nations, have called for a halt in fighting or a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to allow humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip. This comes as Israel continues its bombardment of the enclave.
Roughly three weeks after Hamas militants launched an attack on southern Israeli towns, resulting in the death of approximately 1,400 people, mostly civilians, world leaders are working to prevent the conflict from spreading in a region crucial to global energy supplies.
Also Read: As Israel-Hamas war rages, more than 700 people in the past day in Gaza
U.S. President Joe Biden and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed broader diplomacy to maintain regional stability and prevent the conflict from escalating during a phone call on Tuesday, according to the White House.
The possibility of Israeli forces launching an assault into Gaza’s densely populated urban areas, where militants often use civilians as human shields, brings to mind the memories of the intense battles fought by the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.
For U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his military leaders, the experiences from that intense combat and the civilian casualties in airstrikes and urban battles in Mosul and Raqqa serve as valuable lessons as Israel prepares for a potential ground invasion against Hamas.
“In our conversations with the Israelis, and as we’ve made very clear, we’re continuing to highlight, the importance of mitigating civilian casualties and ensuring that … things like safety corridors are thought through,” Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon spokesman, said Tuesday.
Australia has sent additional military resources to the Middle East to support its citizens in the event of an escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. These resources include two military aircraft and a significant number of defense personnel.
The Australian government has conducted repatriation flights for its citizens stranded in Israel since the conflict began. They have also been trying to rescue Australians from the Israeli-besieged Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Australians in Gaza have been advised to move towards the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
