Israel-Gaza conflict: Women on the frontlines of the war

Israel-Gaza War: In the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, women are emerging as pivotal figures, actively participating as soldiers, journalists, and medical personnel. The conflict, ignited by a surprise weekend attack by Hamas operatives on Israeli border areas, has seen relentless Israeli airstrikes and ground assaults aimed at pushing back Hamas fighters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has referred to the situation as a full-scale war, leading many former soldiers and reservists to report back for duty in the fight against Hamas. Women, in particular, are playing significant roles in various capacities on the frontlines.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has shared numerous videos and photos showcasing the dedication and bravery of these women officers on active duty. One such soldier was seen describing the offense on Kibbutz Be'eri, highlighting their critical involvement in this intense conflict.

Here are some of the remarkable women involved in the Israel-Hamas war:

1. Moriah Mencer: A former IDF soldier, Mencer returned to Israel from London after one of her friends tragically lost her life in the weekend attack. In an emotional video posted from Heathrow Airport, she expressed her urgency, saying, "We've rushed back to Israel because our friends are in very unfortunate situations. Some of my friends are missing. I've just found out that one of my friends has been murdered in her home two days ago. So we got the first flight we could."
   
   
2. Ella Waweya: Widely recognized as "Captain Ella," she has made history as the first Muslim Arab woman to achieve the rank of major in the IDF. Captain Ella is using IDF's Instagram platform to share updates on the Gaza conflict and promote a message of unity for Israel's success.
   
   
3. Zohar and Liron: A couple who survived the horrifying massacre at the Supernova music festival in southern Israel immediately reported for reserve duty in the Combat Engineering Corps' reserve battalion. Their resilience underlines the strong commitment of individuals in the face of adversity.
   
   
4. Plestia Alaqad: A Palestinian journalist based in Gaza, Alaqad has been using her smartphone to document the widespread devastation surrounding her. Her Instagram account portrays the stark contrast between her usual life and the stark realities of the Israel-Hamas war, which began on Saturday.
   
   
5. Miki Dubery: An American journalist who moved to Tel Aviv two years ago, Dubery has been actively reporting on the atrocities committed in the region since the Hamas assault. She has labeled the ongoing conflict as "Terror versus Israel and Hamas versus the Palestinians" in an appeal for global empathy, emphasizing, "This will affect humanity."
   
   

Tragically, the International Women's Media Foundation reported that at least seven journalists lost their lives within the first three days of the conflict, shedding light on the dangers faced by those documenting the events on the ground.

The conflict continues, with both Israel and Hamas exchanging fire, and Israel imposing a "complete siege" on the Palestinian territory. This siege has resulted in the cutoff of crucial supplies, including electricity, water, and fuel to Gaza. Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz has stated that these supplies will not be restored until Hamas militants release all hostages held in the Gaza Strip, further complicating an already dire situation.

Also Read: Israel-Hamas conflict: Israel Defence Force reports horrific atrocities, including baby beheadings by Hamas

- With inputs from agencies

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