Fierce fighting continues in Gaza despite start of Ramadan | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Israeli forces are continuing their offensive and reportedly killing and wounding many people across the Gaza Strip despite the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Monday.

International mediators have failed to secure a ceasefire to stop the fighting in Gaza before the month of fasting.

Local media have reported that “dozens were martyred and wounded” on Monday, “as a result of intense bombardment by warplanes and Israeli artillery shelling on various areas in the Gaza Strip.” One report says 16 people have been killed in northern Gaza.

Local health authorities on Monday disclosed that the fighting has killed 31,112 people and injured 72,760. They say “72 percent of the victims of aggression are women and children.”

Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh delivered a televised address on Sunday, reiterating his calls for Israel to agree to a comprehensive ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from all lands in the Gaza Strip.

He said Hamas is open to continuing negotiations but that Israel has made no commitment.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US-based political news website Politico on Sunday that he intends to press ahead with an invasion of the city of Rafah on the southern border of Gaza.

Nearly 1.5 million Palestinians, including refugees, are said to reside there.

He also gave his own estimates of fatalities, saying some 13,000 Palestinian fighters had been killed.

He stressed his intention to continue fighting until Hamas is destroyed.

A rise in civilian casualties during Ramadan could further escalate anti-Israeli sentiment across the Middle East and trigger large-scale clashes in the West Bank and elsewhere.