Fighting spreads to southern Gaza

According to Al-Jazeera, Israeli forces focused on attacking the eastern areas of Khan Younis and the coastal areas of the city. Starting with artillery bombardment from the ground and followed by aerial bombardment, Israel's plan is said to be to pave the way for infantry to advance as they previously announced that they would expand the campaign to the southern Gaza Strip. The Israeli army dropped leaflets in Khan Younis, calling on civilians in the city to evacuate immediately because this is a war zone.

Lực lượng Israel tại Dải Gaza ngày 2.12Ảnh: Reuters — Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip on December 2

In a statement yesterday, the Israeli military said it had attacked more than 400 targets since the ceasefire ended, including more than 50 in Khan Younis. On the same day, the Hamas government said 240 people had been killed since the conflict resumed and 650 others were wounded. In addition to Gaza, Israel also retaliated against targets in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah attacks, and carried out airstrikes on several locations outside the Syrian capital Damascus.

In parallel with the military campaign, Israel is also said to have informed Arab countries that it wants to create a buffer zone on the Gaza side to prevent future attacks. Reuters quoted sources from Egypt and other parties in the region as saying that Israel's proposal does not mean the end of the war, but only shows that the country is in contact with many parties to shape Gaza after the conflict. However, sources said that many Arab countries have opposed the plan. An unnamed US official confirmed that Israel had suggested a safe buffer zone. However, this person reiterated the US's opposition to any plan that reduces the area of the Gaza Strip. This Palestinian territory is only 40 km long and 5-12 km wide, so cutting it down to create a buffer zone would reduce the living space of 2.3 million people here.

Before ending his Middle East trip on December 1, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with his counterparts in the region to discuss the current war situation, humanitarian aid work and the future of Gaza after the conflict. According to Reuters, the diplomat said he discussed what happens in Gaza after the war ends and the path to lasting peace for the Israelis, Palestinians and the region.

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