Hamas engages in a game of cat and mouse with Israel's military forces.

Hamas instigates a charged tug-of-war with Israel's military forces.

Israel's top military official laments the ongoing struggle against Hamas, as the terrorist group continues to rebuild their infrastructure in areas already targeted by Israeli forces. The army has increased operations in the north and continued to advance in Rafah, a city overrun with refugees.

Over the weekend, Israel launched new attacks in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, where they had previously been deployed. The Israeli military and Hamas both reported heavy clashes in the area. The army had intelligence that Hamas was attempting to rebuild their destroyed infrastructure, prompting evacuation calls to civilians in the region.

The Palestinian aid organization UNRWA expressed concern about the evacuation orders in Rafah and Jabalia. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz cautioned Israel against a potential offensive in Rafah, calling it "irresponsible."

Meanwhile, angry protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged in Israel, with relatives of hostages urging a dignified burial for their loved ones. On October 7, Hamas and other terrorist groups killed 1200 Israelis and held 250 hostages in the Gaza Strip. It was believed that about 132 of the hostages remained in the coastal area, but many may have since perished.

The massacre marked the beginning of the Gaza war. On Saturday, Israel urged the population of Rafah, located in southern Gaza bordering Egypt, to leave certain areas in the east and center of the city. The army began deploying ground troops at the start of the week, initially in the eastern outskirts of Rafah. Since then, "dozens of terrorists have been eliminated," underground tunnels unearthed, and large amounts of weapons seized, according to Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari.

The US offered intelligence assistance to Israel to locate Hamas leaders and their underground tunnels in exchange for not advancing further into Rafah. The Israeli army seeks to destroy the last Hamas battalions and the smuggling tunnels along the Egyptian border.

Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi voiced frustration during discussions with Netanyahu, stating that the absence of a political strategy after the war forces the military to repeatedly engage in hostilities in places like Jabalia, where they previously achieved victory and withdrew. "As long as there's no diplomatic process to create a non-Hamas-controlled governing body in the Gaza Strip, we'll be forced to carry out more campaigns to destroy Hamas' infrastructure," Halevi said. He described the situation as "Sisyphean."

Netanyahu discussed the future of the Gaza Strip on a US news show, stating that if Hamas fell, "there would probably be some kind of civil administration, possibly with the help of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and other countries" interested in stability and peace. However, Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Sajid clarified on Saturday that the UAE would not participate in any potential civil administration with other countries, fearing it would support Israel's presence in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu lacks the authority to initiate such a project.

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UNRWA Response

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) expressed "extreme concern" about the evacuation calls in Rafah and Jabalia. While it recognizes the need to protect its staff and assets, it worries about the safety of civilians and potential damage to the facilities.

To help address these concerns, UNRWA is considering moving some employees and their families to safer areas within Gaza. However, many staff members have chosen to remain near their shelters to ensure permanent access to their homes and essential services.

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Hamas Response

Hamas condemned the evacuation orders, calling them "illegal and unacceptable." According to the group, the orders would cause "mass displacement" and violate international law. If fulfilled, the evacuation could displace hundreds of thousands and disrupt services for tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Hamas also criticized Israel's delay in allowing international humanitarian organizations access to the Gaza Strip to assess the needs of the population.

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Israeli Government Response

The Israeli government defended the decision to evacuate Rafah and Jabalia, stating that it aims to prevent military conflict and safeguard civilians. It emphasized that the evacuation orders were planned well in advance, allowing time for international humanitarian organizations to assist in the relocation process.

The Israeli military additionally reiterated its commitment to protecting civilians, citing efforts to destroy terrorist infrastructure and acting against any likely threats. The government warned that its forces would respond if attacked by militants during the evacuation process.

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US and International Response

The US administration announced support for Israel's Operation Breaking Dawn, aimed at eliminating Hamas' military capabilities in Gaza. The White House emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and expressed strong condemnation of the terror organization's bombing of Gaza. However, the US also called on Israel and Palestine to enter into a ceasefire and begin negotiations for a long-term solution to the conflict.

As the conflict continues to escalate, President Joe Biden is facing pressure from multiple parties to take a more active role in the situation. Some suggest the US should support Israel further, while others urge a more even-handed approach. Despite these calls, Joe Biden emphasized the importance of a cautious approach to avoid exacerbating the crisis.

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Egyptian Response

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi condemned the violence and called for "maximum restraint" by all sides involved in the conflict. He also offered to facilitate peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

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Palestinian Response

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized the need for a "comprehensive ceasefire" in Gaza and endorsed Egypt's mediation efforts. Abbas claimed that the recent unrest was "a direct result of Israeli aggression," and called for immediate diplomatic engagement.

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While US President Joe Biden reinforces Hamas' accountability during indirect negotiations to establish a ceasefire and rescue hostages, he shared his viewpoint at a campaign rally in Medina, Washington state. He stated, “If… Hamas would release the hostages – women, the elderly, the wounded – the ceasefire would end tomorrow.” On Friday, White House spokesperson for the National Security Council, John Kirby, remarked on the stalemate of the negotiations. Later, Egypt expressed its intent to collaborate with the United States in influencing the parties to exhibit more propensity towards compromise.

Also in the meantime, as per media reports, a rocket from Gaza Strike targeted a residential building in the coastal Israeli city of Ashkelon, injuring three people. Over the past few days, Hamas has intensified its assaults on Israeli cities and villages, including the Kerem Shalom border checkpoint, through which humanitarian support is delivered.

Subsequently, the Israeli administration sought the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to dismiss South Africa's renewed urgent attempt for preventing genocide against Palestinians. Asserting that South Africa is functioning as the legal consultant for Hamas, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Oren Marmorstein, expressed this on Saturday. Earlier on Friday, South Africa re-initiated contact with the ICJ, demanding that the court force Israel to undertake additional measures to avert genocide against Palestinians. One of these measures includes Israel's immediate evacuation from Rafah.