Israeli forces have continued to advance in and around Gaza City, with local reports indicating intense Israeli bombardment and the presence of military vehicles in the vicinity of several hospitals.
Israeli forces are reported to be operating in the vicinity of al-Shifa Hospital, al-Quds Hospital, al-Rantisi Pediatric Hospital, and the Indonesian Hospital. Israeli troops are reportedly using loudspeakers to order civilians to flee south; reports from al-Shifa hospital, the largest in Gaza City, indicate that a missile or shell hit the hospital's courtyard, killing at least one.
After Hamas's heinous attack on Israel, Tel Aviv has a right and a duty to dismantle Hamas's terrorist leadership as an existential threat to Israel itself. However, a short, temporary humanitarian pause may be possible on the condition that it comes with the release of Israeli hostages.
Living under a total blockade and unrelenting Israeli air strikes, figures show that one Palestinian child is dying every 15 minutes. Indeed, Israel is in the process of systematically attacking hospitals in Gaza City. A humanitarian cease-fire must be established immediately so much-needed aid can enter the territory.