This attack adds to the grim tally of over 600 mosques obliterated by Israeli forces since the onset of the conflict in Gaza. At the scene, amidst ongoing shelling in the east of Jabalia refugee camp, the sense of fear and uncertainty is palpable.

Israeli troops maintain a siege around Beit Hanoon’s al-Shawa school, where hundreds of Palestinians have sought refuge. Reports indicate that Israeli forces are using loudspeakers to instruct people to evacuate, raising concerns among the trapped civilians of facing a fate similar to those who sought refuge at al-Shifa Hospital.

As communication with the school has been severed, the fate of those sheltering there remains unknown. The community anxiously awaits news of their safety, fearing further Israeli actions.

In an interview with Sky News, Dr. Vakil emphasized that the decision to retaliate now rests with Israel. She suggests that Israeli officials must carefully consider whether to proceed with a counterstrike immediately or opt for a more strategic and gradual approach while also considering the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Dr. Vakil acknowledges that Israel currently enjoys significant international support but urges caution in the face of potential retaliation. She believes it unlikely that Israel would target Tehran’s nuclear capabilities directly, instead opting for military targets to minimize civilian and infrastructural damage.

However, she underscores the inherent risks in any Israeli counterattack, as it could inadvertently escalate tensions and trigger a broader conflict in the region, a scenario long feared by observers.

According to reports from the AFP news agency, the 74-year-old Prime Minister was reported to be “in good shape and beginning to recover” following the operation, which took place on Sunday evening.

The Times of Israel further noted that Netanyahu was “recovering” and maintaining contact with his family during his recuperation.

In Netanyahu’s absence, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin is assuming his responsibilities as the stand-in prime minister.

The hernia was discovered during a routine medical examination on Saturday, as disclosed by Netanyahu’s office before the surgical intervention. The procedure, conducted under general anaesthesia, was scheduled for Sunday.

Addressing reporters in a news conference prior to the surgery, Netanyahu expressed confidence in his recovery, stating, “I assure you that I will get through this treatment successfully and return to action very quickly.”

This isn’t Netanyahu’s first health issue; in July 2023, he underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker.

During that period, Israel was experiencing significant domestic turmoil, with widespread protests against Netanyahu’s government’s proposed judicial overhaul plan, marking one of the country’s most tumultuous periods in recent decades.

Despite Biden’s growing frustration, experts and Israeli officials suggest there are no immediate signs that Biden can compel Israel to significantly shift its approach to the conflict, now entering a more perilous phase.

Biden, emphasizing Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, underscored the need for greater attention to innocent lives lost in the conflict. His administration had aimed for an extended ceasefire coinciding with the start of Ramadan, but with no agreement in sight, concerns about potential violence in East Jerusalem have intensified.

Tensions rose further when Biden warned Netanyahu against an attack on a location where many displaced Gazans have sought refuge, labeling it a “red line” to prevent further Palestinian casualties. Simultaneously, he reiterated his unwavering commitment to Israel’s defense.

This candid approach by Biden follows a hot mic incident after his State of the Union address, where he hinted at a forthcoming serious conversation with Netanyahu about Gaza’s humanitarian situation.

The U.S. has initiated airdrops and announced plans for a temporary pier to deliver aid to Gaza by sea, addressing urgent warnings from UN officials about famine threatening a quarter of Gaza’s 2.3 million population. However, Israel has resisted allowing more aid through land routes.

Vice President Kamala Harris added to tensions by hosting Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s wartime Cabinet, against Netanyahu’s wishes. U.S. officials, including Harris, expressed concerns about a potential operation in Rafah.

Netanyahu, responding to Biden’s remarks, asserted that the President misunderstood his policies and their impact on Israel’s interests.

U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, noted that Biden’s intensified criticism is a deliberate attempt to signal his impatience with the rising death toll and inadequate aid in Gaza.

Israeli reactions varied, with opposition leader Yair Lapid supporting Biden’s stance, claiming Netanyahu’s policies catered to the far-right. Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz downplayed Biden’s comments, emphasizing U.S. support for Israel’s war aims.

Eytan Gilboa, an expert on U.S.-Israel relations, argued that Biden’s actions, including scaling up aid to Gaza, undermine Israel’s goals against Hamas, potentially easing pressure on the group for a temporary ceasefire.

Biden’s frustration reportedly stems from Netanyahu’s reluctance to embrace the U.S. vision for postwar Gaza, centered on reinvigorating the two-state solution, an idea Netanyahu has consistently rejected.

Internally, Biden faces progressive Democratic pressure, illustrated by Michigan Democrats’ symbolic “uncommitted” primary votes, reflecting dissatisfaction with his administration’s approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

While Biden aims to influence Israel by speaking out forcefully, critics argue that criticism without tangible action won’t address the deeper issues, emphasizing the need for meaningful change in Gaza.

Biden has not ruled out a trip to Israel, expressing a desire to address the Knesset directly and circumvent Netanyahu. If a temporary ceasefire is reached, officials suggest this could be an opportunity for Biden to engage directly with Israelis and outline a path toward a permanent resolution.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed grave apprehension, stating that Gaza is now at a critical juncture and is on the verge of witnessing a significant increase in preventable child deaths. Such a devastating development would only compound the already unbearable level of child mortality in the Palestinian territory, placing an immense burden on the local healthcare system and further straining the limited resources available.

The international community is closely monitoring the situation, urging restraint and emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis. Humanitarian organizations are mobilizing efforts to provide urgent assistance to the affected population, emphasizing the importance of ensuring access to essential services, including food, medical care, and education, in order to alleviate the suffering of those caught in the crossfire. The incident underscores the pressing need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the longstanding challenges faced by the people in this conflict-ridden region.

Eyewitnesses reported a tense and chaotic scene as the military operation unfolded, with the sound of gunfire echoing through the hospital premises. The use of heavy weaponry created an atmosphere of fear and urgency, pushing individuals inside the hospital to seek safety outside its walls.

The aggressive military action has raised concerns about the well-being of patients and medical personnel, as the critical healthcare facility is disrupted by the armed intervention. The situation further compounds the challenges faced by the local population already grappling with the broader conflict in the region.

International humanitarian organizations and observers are closely monitoring the developments, calling for the protection of medical facilities and the immediate cessation of hostilities to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire. The incident adds to the complex dynamics of the ongoing conflict, with repercussions resonating beyond the immediate crisis at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.

Their immediate focus is on reaching the bodies of the two deceased Palestinians and aiding “several injured” individuals trapped beneath the debris.

The goal is to extract them for medical treatment.

Reports indicate that a woman and two children lost their lives in Souaneh, with at least four members of a family later killed in Nabatieh. Additionally, at least two Hezbollah fighters were reported dead in the attacks in southern Lebanon.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that its military targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in response to the deadly rocket attack on northern Israel. Tensions have been escalating along the Israel-Lebanon border, with frequent clashes between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces since the beginning of the conflict involving Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip in October.

The recurring border confrontations have sparked concerns about the potential for a broader regional conflict, heightening tensions in the already volatile Middle East.

Several human rights groups initiated a lawsuit in December, prompting a lower court to initially categorize the sale of fighter-jet parts as a political decision. However, the appeals court diverged from this stance, asserting that the Netherlands must prevent the export of military goods if there is a clear risk of serious violations of humanitarian law in war.

Presiding Judge Bas Boele outlined a potential future scenario where the Dutch government could export F-35 parts to Israel, but with the condition that they are not utilized in operations in Gaza.

Michiel Servaes, director of Oxfam Novib, one of the groups involved in the litigation, expressed hope that the ruling would fortify international law, offering protection to the citizens of Gaza.

The Dutch government is required to comply with the court order within seven days, as its request to suspend the order pending appeal to the Supreme Court has been rejected.

The F-35 parts in question are owned by the US but stored and dispatched from a regional warehouse in the Netherlands to countries within the F-35 consortium, including Israel, which received at least one shipment since October last year.

Trade Minister Geoffrey van Leeuwen defended the delivery of US F-35 parts to Israel, stating it is justified as the jets enable West Jerusalem to defend itself from threats posed by Iran, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon.

The court’s decision comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the region, marked by a series of raids by Hamas in October, resulting in an estimated 1,200 Israelis killed. Israel responded by declaring “war” on Hamas, leading to an offensive against Gaza. The conflict has displaced most of Gaza’s two million residents, with over 28,000 Palestinians reported killed, according to local authorities.

Israel denies committing war crimes or violating humanitarian law in Gaza, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting that the majority of Palestinians killed were “terrorists” and Hamas fighters. Last month, the International Court of Justice ordered West Jerusalem to “prevent acts of genocide” in its war against Hamas, based on a complaint from South Africa, prompting calls from human rights groups to halt weapon sales to Israel.

Israeli officials are currently reassessing military plans for an attack on southern Rafah, a city previously designated as a ‘safe zone’ for Palestinians. According to Israeli public broadcaster KAN, ‘political sources’ state that residents of the Gaza Strip will be evacuated from Rafah before any military operations commence.

Israel’s Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, declared on Monday that Rafah is the military’s ‘next target’ in Gaza, asserting it as the last remaining stronghold of Hamas. However, human rights groups have raised concerns about a potential Israeli offensive in Rafah, warning of significant casualties in the densely populated area where an estimated 1.4 million people seek shelter.