Report on Day 36 of the Israel-Gaza Conflict

The Israel-Gaza conflict has entered its 36th day, characterized by heightened military engagements, significant regional responses, and a critical situation at Gaza’s Shifa Hospital. This report delves into the day’s key events and their broader implications.

Military Engagements and Hospital Crisis

• Shifa Hospital Under Siege: Heavy gunfire and clashes intensified near Shifa Hospital. Al-Jazeera reported losing contact with journalists inside the hospital, and Doctors Without Borders expressed inability to contact its members there.
• Dire Conditions at Shifa Hospital: The hospital director reported catastrophic conditions, including a lack of food, water, electricity, and internet. The surgery building was struck, leading to multiple deaths, including infants in incubators.
• Fuel Shortage and Mass Grave Concerns: The Health Ministry stated that fuel depletion led to generator failure and power cuts at Shifa Hospital, necessitating the creation of a mass grave within the hospital compound.

Regional and International Reactions

• Iran’s Stance: Iran’s President Raisi accused the United States of fueling the war and obstructing a ceasefire. He later called for arming the Palestinians and an energy embargo against Israel.
• Hezbollah’s Involvement: Hezbollah Chief Nasrallah alleged American administration’s control over the battle and thanked Iran for supporting Islamic resistance movements.
• Global Protests and Statements: Massive pro-Palestinian rallies were reported in London, with around 300,000 participants. The Riyadh Summit issued statements condemning the ‘collective punishment’ in Gaza and calling for investigations into war crimes.
• UAE’s Diplomatic Position: The UAE plans to maintain diplomatic ties with Israel, hoping to moderate the Israeli campaign.

Military Advances and Statements

• IDF’s Operations: The IDF conducted a drone strike in Lebanon, the deepest since the war began. They also discovered ammunition and explosives in a kindergarten in northern Gaza.
• Israeli Defense Minister’s Warning: Israel’s Defense Minister warned that Hezbollah was close to making a grave mistake, hinting at potential actions similar to those in Gaza.

Netanyahu’s Rejection of Ceasefire and Future Plans

• Ceasefire Rejection: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu firmly rejected growing international calls for a ceasefire, stating Israel’s battle against Hamas would continue with “full force.”
• Post-War Plans for Gaza: Netanyahu declared that Gaza would be demilitarized after the war, with Israel continuing to control security there. He also ruled out any role for the current Palestinian Authority in post-war Gaza, opposing their return to the region.
• Preventing Future Threats: Emphasizing on long-term security, Netanyahu stated, “We will guarantee that the day after the defeat of Hamas, another Hamas cannot arise.”

Additional Military Developments

• IDF’s Defensive Actions: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) shot down a drone near Haifa, indicating the widespread nature of the conflict.
• US Military Accident: A US military aircraft conducting training operations in the Eastern Mediterranean crashed, deemed an accident unrelated to the conflict.

• Increasing Casualties: The situation at Shifa Hospital worsened with the death of two premature babies amid power cuts, and 37 others remaining in critical condition.
• Shifa Hospital Director’s Statement: The hospital director reported the loss of lives, stating that “patients are dying by the minute,” highlighting the catastrophic humanitarian situation.Sa

Conclusion

Day 36 of the Israel-Gaza conflict has been marked by severe humanitarian crises, particularly at Shifa Hospital, and significant regional and international reactions. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further escalations and broader geopolitical implications.