Israel-Hamas clashes enter 9th day... Gaza airstrikes resume amid additional casualties

Two Thai National Workers Die in Israel
Israel Continues Fighting Despite US Ceasefire Pressure

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As the clashes between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas enter their ninth day, additional casualties in Israel have led to a resurgence in the intensity of the fire exchange between the two sides, which had previously been easing. Despite pressure from the United States urging Israel to seek a ceasefire, Israel's determination to continue the conflict appears unshaken.

According to local media such as the Times of Israel on the 18th (local time), the Israeli government announced that two Thai workers who were working in a factory in southern Israel were killed by rockets fired by Hamas from the Gaza Strip. In addition, seven other Thai workers were injured in the rocket attacks, and a 19-year-old Israeli soldier delivering relief supplies to the Gaza Strip was also reported wounded. Four of the injured are said to be in critical condition.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), over the past 12 hours, more than 90 rockets fired by Hamas have landed mainly in southern Israel, causing damage in various locations. Following the additional casualties in Israel, the fire exchange between the two sides, which had shown signs of decreasing in frequency and intensity, has become fierce again.

The Israeli military also resumed retaliatory airstrikes on the Gaza Strip using a large number of fighter jets. The Israeli Air Force reportedly deployed 60 fighter jets to drop over 100 precision-guided munitions on 65 targets within the Gaza Strip over approximately 30 minutes. Brigadier General Hidai Zilberman, an Israeli military spokesperson, explained at a press conference, "Today's attack was the fourth airstrike on Hamas's underground tunnels in the Gaza Strip, destroying about 15 kilometers."

As a result of Israel's airstrikes, 450 buildings have collapsed in the Gaza Strip, with the cumulative death toll rising to 213 and the number of injured reaching 1,422. Among the deceased, 61 are children and 36 are women.

As international criticism grows, the United States is also pressuring Israel to halt the fighting, but Israel's resolve remains strong. The Associated Press, citing an anonymous source, reported, "Senior officials in the Joe Biden administration have been in contact with Israel since the previous day, persuading them that a phased cessation of bombings in the Gaza Strip would also benefit Israel." Nevertheless, Israel has reportedly stated that it can conclude military operations within a few days and intends to continue the conflict.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.