In the heart of Gaza, Tamara Al-Maarouf stands by her 4-month-old baby’s bedside, fighting back tears. Her child, recently undergoing surgery to remove a tumor that had pressed against his fragile heart, now requires urgent medical attention abroad—treatment that remains out of reach due to the ongoing war.
Meanwhile, in stark contrast, 84-year-old Oded Lifschitz remains in captivity. He was abducted on October 7 last year by Hamas militants from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz and has yet to be released. His family continues to make desperate efforts to secure his return, facing frustration amid the current political impasse.
These two stories—one of a Palestinian infant and the other of an elderly Israeli man—highlight the tragic cost of a conflict they did not choose. Both lives are now at the mercy of stalled political negotiations.
In related developments, Israel has reportedly prepared a response plan to Iran’s October 1 attack. According to CNN, sources say Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has assured the US that any counterattack will focus strictly on military targets, steering clear of oil and nuclear facilities.
Additionally, Netanyahu has publicly rejected calls for a “unilateral ceasefire” in the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah has issued threats of increased attacks if a ceasefire isn’t accepted, warning of further escalation.
In response, Israeli strikes have intensified, with Beirut’s southern suburbs recently targeted. Lebanese authorities report that over 10,000 Israeli strikes have occurred in Lebanon, with the UN estimating that about 20% of Lebanon’s population has fled their homes due to the violence.
Meanwhile, Israel is considering a US request to improve Gaza’s humanitarian situation within 30 days. The UN has voiced concerns that Israel may be conducting a “large-scale forced transfer” of civilians from northern Gaza, a move it warns could be classified as a war crime under international law.
