In a bold statement on Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Israel will persist in its campaign against Hamas until achieving victory, dismissing any potential intervention, including that of the world court. This comes amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, approaching its 100th day.
ADVERTISEMENTThe ongoing conflict has become the longest and deadliest confrontation between Israel and the Palestinians since the establishment of Israel in 1948, and there are no indications of the fighting coming to an end.
Netanyahu: “No one will stop us, not The Hague, not the axis of evil and not anyone else”.
Netanyahu’s remarks followed the International Court of Justice’s hearings on South Africa’s accusations of Israeli genocide against Palestinians, a claim Israel rejects as slanderous and hypocritical.
Despite South Africa seeking an interim order to halt Israel’s offensive, Netanyahu said in televised remarks Saturday evening, referring to Iran and its allied militias “No one will stop us, not The Hague, not the axis of evil and not anyone else,”.
The case before the world court is expected to extend over years, but interim rulings might be issued within weeks. Netanyahu made it clear that Israel would not comply with any orders to cease hostilities, potentially deepening its international isolation.
International pressure on Israel to end the conflict has escalated, with protests in various cities calling for its cessation. The US, offering diplomatic and military support, has shielded Israel from much of this pressure.
Concerns over conflict spreading in the region
Concerns about a broader conflict have been present since the war’s outset, with new fronts opening involving Iran-backed groups in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria. The US has increased its military presence in the region to deter further escalation.
Amid the conflict, the US and Britain launched on Thursday airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, responding to their campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.
Recap of the war in numbers
The roots of the war trace back to an October 7 attack by Hamas and other militants that claimed around 1,200 lives in Israel, primarily civilians.
TOTAL DEATHS
Palestinians killed in Gaza: 23,843
People killed in Israel: more than 1,200
Palestinians killed in the West Bank: 347
CIVILIANS
Number of civilians killed in Gaza: Estimated 2/3 of those killed
Number of civilians killed in Israel on October 7: 790
ADVERTISEMENTUN staff killed in Gaza: 148
Health workers killed in Gaza: at least 337
Journalists killed in Gaza: 82
SOLDIERS/MILITANTS
Israeli soldiers killed on October 7: 314
ADVERTISEMENTMilitants killed by Israel: Over 8,000
Israeli soldiers killed in the Gaza ground offensive: 187
Israeli soldiers killed on the northern front: 9
Israeli soldiers killed by friendly fire or “accidents” in Gaza and the north: 29
DESTRUCTION/HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN GAZA
ADVERTISEMENTGaza’s buildings likely damaged/destroyed: 45-56%
Hospitals in Gaza partially functioning: 15/36
Palestinian civilians facing “catastrophic hunger and starvation”: 576,600 (26% of the population)
School buildings in Gaza damaged: over 69%
Mosques damaged: 142
ADVERTISEMENTChurches damaged: 3
Ambulances damaged: 121
Students out of school: 625,000 (100% of students)
INJURIES
Palestinians injured in Gaza: 60,005
ADVERTISEMENTPalestinians injured in West Bank: more than 4,000
Total Israeli injuries: 12,415
Israeli soldiers injured in ground offensive: 1,085
Israeli soldiers injured since October 7: 2,496
DISPLACEMENT
ADVERTISEMENTPalestinians displaced in Gaza: 1.9 million (85% of Gaza’s population)
Israelis displaced from northern and southern border communities: 249,263 (2.6% of the population)
HOSTAGES/PRISONERS
Hostages taken by Hamas on October 7: around 250
Hostages released: 121
ADVERTISEMENTHostages taken October 7 who remain in the strip: 132
1. 111 men, 19 women, 2 children
2. 121 Israelis, 11 foreigners
Hostages who were killed or died in Hamas captivity: 33
Palestinian prisoners released during weeklong pause in fighting: 240
ADVERTISEMENT