As the situation between Israel and Hamas intensifies, sources state that China has sent six warships to the Middle East in preparation for a potential Third World War (WW3).
The 44th Naval Escort Task Force, which belongs to the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theatre, recently conducted routine operations in the region. Last week, they spent several days in Oman.
On Saturday, the Chinese warships departed Muscat after engaging in a joint exercise with the Omani navy. Their destination remains undisclosed.
The task force consists of three ships: the Zibo, a guided missile destroyer, the frigate Jingzhou, and the supply ship Qiandaohu. These ships will be stationed in the Middle East as Israel makes preparations for a ground invasion of Gaza.
Isreal prepares for Gaza Invasion
The Israeli military has issued an evacuation notice to all civilians in Gaza City, instructing them to move towards the southern areas. This directive comes as the military continues its bombardment of the coastal enclave in retaliation for the recent Hamas attacks, which resulted in the tragic loss of over 1,400 lives.
Evacuating the besieged enclave would require relocating over 1.1 million people from the north to the south, amidst ongoing airstrikes. The United Nations has deemed this task to be both dangerous and unfeasible.
For the past week, Israeli warplanes have been conducting airstrikes in Gaza, resulting in the destruction of entire neighbourhoods, including schools and mosques. Israel has stated that it has conducted strikes on Hamas targets and has accused the group of using civilians as human shields.
The assault by Israel has resulted in the deaths of at least 2,670 individuals in Gaza, with over 9,600 others sustaining injuries. According to the United Nations, approximately one million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced from their homes.
Start of the current situation
On October 7, militants from Gaza launched a significant number of rockets towards Israeli towns. They then managed to breach the heavily fortified border fence with Israel, allowing militants to infiltrate deep into Israeli territory. According to Israeli authorities, Hamas gunmen killed over 1,400 individuals, including both civilians and soldiers, and also took around 150 hostages.
The recent attacks were remarkable in terms of tactics and scale, as Israel has not engaged in street battles with its adversaries on its own territory since the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Furthermore, it has never experienced a terrorist attack of such magnitude resulting in the loss of numerous civilian lives. Although Hamas has previously kidnapped Israelis, it is unprecedented for them to have taken numerous hostages simultaneously, including individuals of various age groups such as children and the elderly.
According to a senior Hamas official in Lebanon, who spoke to a Russian state-backed channel, the group had been making preparations for the attack over a span of two years.
Hamas named the operation “Al-Aqsa Storm” in response to what they perceived as Israeli attacks on women, the desecration of the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, and the ongoing siege of Gaza.
According to reports, approximately 1,500 bodies of Hamas fighters have been found within Israel since the recent assault that took place on Saturday.
Humanitarian catastrophe
The United Nations has described the situation in Gaza as an “unprecedented catastrophe” for civilians. They are urgently appealing to Islamic leaders to grant permission for humanitarian efforts to enter the territory and provide assistance to those who are trapped there.
On Wednesday, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) issued a statement urging the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The statement called for their unwavering and unconditional support in humanitarian efforts to protect civilians in Gaza.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini emphasised the distressing impact of the recent explosion at Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, which resulted in the tragic loss of nearly 500 lives. His intention was to draw attention to the ongoing suffering endured by the civilians who are still residing in Gaza. On Tuesday, an additional air strike targeted a UNRWA school that was providing shelter to 4,000 displaced individuals. According to Lazzarini, at least six people lost their lives in this tragic incident.
Lazzarini stated that we are witnessing an unprecedented catastrophe. Gaza is currently facing severe restrictions, and it appears that the global community has lost its sense of compassion.
“An unprecedented catastrophe is unfolding before our eyes. Gaza is being strangled and the world seems to have lost its humanity,” he said.
On Tuesday, the International Committee of the Red Cross announced that a surgical team and 60 tonnes of humanitarian aid and medical items have been mobilised to the Rafah border crossing from Egypt, heading into southern Gaza. However, the aid was not allowed to pass on Monday as originally planned when the crossing was supposed to be opened.
Attack on civilians
One of the most devastating consequences of the war so far has been the massive civilian casualties. The most notable was the attack on a hospital at the start of the week.
On Tuesday, a Gaza City hospital, filled with wounded individuals and Palestinians seeking shelter, was struck by a powerful explosion. According to the Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas, hundreds of people lost their lives in the incident. Hamas was quick to attribute the Israeli airstrike as the cause, whereas the Israeli military placed the blame on a rocket misfired by other Palestinian militants.
The explosion at al-Ahli Hospital resulted in horrifying scenes. The video, which has been confirmed by The Associated Press, depicts a devastating fire engulfing the hospital building. The footage also reveals the hospital grounds scattered with the bodies of numerous young children, a truly tragic sight. Blankets, school backpacks, and various belongings were scattered across the grass surrounding them.
The U.S. was attempting to persuade Israel to permit the delivery of supplies to civilians, aid groups, and hospitals in the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Strip has been under a complete siege since Hamas’ violent actions in southern Israel last week, resulting in bloodshed. Hundreds of thousands of individuals, growing increasingly desperate, were in search of basic necessities such as bread and water.
According to the ministry, a minimum of 500 individuals lost their lives.
Israel and Hamas continue to trade blames as to who was responsible for the attack on the hospital.