Khan Younis Hospitals Near Collapse; Biden Vows Response to US Troop Attack. Get the Latest!

Here’s a summary of the latest developments:

In Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have employed drones equipped with loudspeakers to instruct residents near Al-Amal hospital to evacuate. This development by the IDF was reported by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) on Monday amidst ongoing heavy fighting in the city. The IDF also reported that their aircraft struck two compounds in Khan Younis, resulting in the deaths of “armed terrorists.”

In a separate incident, a drone attack at a US outpost in Jordan led to the death of three US Army soldiers, with at least 34 service members injured. The attack marks a significant rise in tensions in the Middle East. US officials believe the drone, thought to be fired by Iran-backed militants, originated from Syria. Iran, however, has distanced itself from the attack.

In response to the drone attack, US President Biden has pledged a retaliatory response “at a time and in a manner of our choosing.” The US has already engaged in several retaliatory actions against Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria. With over 158 attacks on US and coalition forces in these countries, the Biden administration is now considering the extent of its response to Sunday’s drone strike.

The UN agency in Gaza, UNRWA, is currently embroiled in a scandal. Israel has accused some of its staff members of participating in Hamas’ October 7 terror attacks, leading to the dismissal of several employees. As a result, the US, UNRWA’s main donor, along with other countries, have temporarily halted their funding to the agency. Some countries, however, continue to provide financial support.

Regarding hostage negotiations in Gaza, a recent meeting held in Paris involving Qatar, Israel, the US, and Egypt was described as “constructive” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. While the talks are ongoing, significant differences remain. Further discussions are scheduled for this week.

Finally, a rally in Jerusalem calling for the resettlement of Gaza by Israelis was attended by Israeli government ministers and members of the Knesset on Sunday. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir emphasized the need for Israeli control over Palestinian territories to prevent future attacks. Hamas criticized the rally, claiming it showed Israel’s intention to displace and ethnically cleanse the Palestinian people.