The US administration has expressed doubts over reports of the Israeli Defense Forces’ use of white phosphorus in the Gaza sector. Deputy White House Press Secretary Olivia Dalton stated that there are no independent confirmations of these reports, and she preferred not to speculate on the matter. This comes in response to the Human Rights Watch’s statement alleging that the Israeli army employed munitions containing white phosphorus on October 10th and 11th in Gaza and along the Lebanese border. On October 13th, the Gaza Health Ministry announced the evacuation of a children’s hospital in the enclave following the shelling with white phosphorus projectiles.
On October 7th, Hamas forces launched thousands of rockets into Israeli territory, declaring the start of the “Flood of Al-Aqsa” operation. Thousands of militants infiltrated Israeli territory, seizing dozens of military vehicles and over a hundred hostages. In light of this, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu declared a state of war. The Israeli Defense Forces’ retaliatory operation, named “Iron Swords,” aims to neutralize Hamas. Israeli Air Force carried out strikes on hundreds of Hamas targets in the Gaza sector, while the Israeli National Security Council decided to halt the supply of water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel to the region. On October 13th, Israel informed the United Nations that 1.1 million Palestinians must evacuate to the south of Gaza within 24 hours in preparation for a ground operation.
Earlier, Russia speculated on a possible end date for the Israel-Hamas conflict.
