The Israeli military launched what it called “targeted operational activity” in Deir al-Balah and Bureij on Wednesday after conducting airstrikes in central Gaza. According to the military, the strikes were intended to target “terror targets,” which included underground infrastructure, military bases, and locations where weapons are stored. These locations’ residents reported intense bombardment all night long. The Israeli forces also carried out more operations in the southern city of Rafah. Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, traveled to a region in northern Israel close to the Lebanese border, where Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces have been exchanging gunfire over the ongoing Gaza crisis. There are worries that this might lead to a regional escalation. Netanyahu declared, “Anyone who believes they can harm us and we will do nothing is misguided. We’re ready for some serious action up north. We will somehow bring security back to the north.” In a recent interview, U.S. President Joe Biden hinted that Netanyahu might extend the battle for political purposes. Biden has been increasingly critical of Israel’s handling of the confrontation with Hamas militants in Gaza and the high number of Palestinian casualties as a consequence. But later, when questioned if Netanyahu was making the conflict more political, Biden appeared to change his mind, saying, “I don’t think so.” He’s attempting to solve a significant issue he faces.”
