Israeli Military Prepares to Enter Southern Gaza in Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Israeli military has signaled its intent to expand its offensive in Gaza to include the southern half of the territory, after claiming control of the north and taking over Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The military has accused Hamas of using the hospital as a command center, but evidence of this claim remains unclear. The expansion of the ground operation raises concerns about the safety of Palestinian civilians, who have been left with limited options for fleeing the violence. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis, with over 11,000 people dead and more than two-thirds of the population displaced. Meanwhile, satellite imagery shows a water treatment plant in Gaza City burned down, exacerbating the water shortage crisis. In the midst of dissent within the Biden administration over its stance on Israel, over 100 former members of the Obama and Biden administrations have sent a letter supporting President Biden's policies and opposing a cease-fire. Israel has agreed to allow limited fuel shipments into Gaza for the United Nations and to power water and sewage plants, following a request from the Biden administration.