WEDNESDAY FEATURE

Video Analysis: “Groundhog’s Day War” — How Netanyahu & Hamas Both Benefit

On a Tuesday of fluctuating events, the outcome confirmed that neither the Israel’s Governnment nor Gaza’s leadership of Hamas is ready to halt the conflict.

The day began with Hamas’ rejection of an Egyptian proposal for a pause in hostilities — “In war, you don’t cease fire and then negotiate” — continued with rocket fire from Gaza into Israel, and culminated in renewed Israeli airstrikes across Gaza.

At least seven Palestinians were killed, as Israel aimed at 39 targets, including the Interior Ministry and houses of senior Hamas figures.

Among the targets were former Interior Minister Fathi Hamad and senior official Mahmoud al-Zahar, who was hiding elsewhere as his house was destroyed.

Other civilian facilities were hit, including a hospital.

Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, said, “When there is no ceasefire, our answer is fire”, as his Security Cabinet met until early Wednesday. An Israeli official said a limited ground operation was being considered.

This morning, Israel dropped leaflets and delivered warnings by phone and text to tens of thousands of residents of two Gaza City neighbourhoods, Zeitoun in the south and Shujai’iya in the east. The leaflets said strikes were imminent and told people to evacuate their homes and head to the city center.

The United Nations refugee agency UNRWA declared a state of emergency across the Gaza Strip, as almost 18,000 Gazans took shelter in 21 UN facilities. UNRWA said the first cases of viral meningitis had appeared, amid worries over basic services, electricity, and water.

More than 50 UNRWA installations have been damaged since July 1, including six in the last 24 hours.

At least 208 Palestinians have been killed in eight days of Israeli attacks hitting more than 1,500 targets.

The first Israeli fatality from Gazan rocket fire came on Tuesday, as a man delivering supplies to Israeli force near Erez died from shrapnel wounds.

More than 1,000 rockets have been fired from Gaza in eight days.