Intensifying Conflict in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has escalated significantly since October 7, with severe incidents reported in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. In a recent operation in Jenin, Israeli soldiers tied a wounded Palestinian, Moujahid Fayyad, to the hood of a military vehicle, an act that the Israeli army admitted violated its own rules. This operation, aimed at apprehending wanted suspects, resulted in an exchange of fire, during which Fayyad was injured and subsequently tied to the vehicle. The Israeli army has stated that this behavior is inconsistent with its values and has launched an investigation into the incident.
The violence in the West Bank, already high before the recent Gaza conflict, has only intensified. Since the war in Gaza began, at least 553 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers or settlers, while Palestinian attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 14 Israelis in the West Bank. The city of Jenin and its surrounding refugee camps have been hotspots for these confrontations.
Heavy Casualties in Gaza Strip Amid Bombings
In the Gaza Strip, the situation is equally dire. In the last 24 hours alone, at least 100 people were killed and another 170 injured due to intense Israeli bombings in Rafah and central Gaza. The Al Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, saw dozens of fatalities after four buildings were bombed. Rescue teams have struggled to extract victims from the rubble due to a lack of heavy equipment.
The Israeli army reported attacks on two Hamas military infrastructure sites in Gaza, but these bombings have resulted in significant civilian casualties. In Al Tuffah, east of Gaza City, 15 Palestinians died in another bombing, adding to the deaths in the Zeitun neighborhood. The Gaza Ministry of Health has raised the total number of deaths to 37,550 and the number of injured to 85,911 since the conflict began. Hamas has condemned these attacks, labeling them as acts of genocide against unarmed civilians.
- The Israeli army has acknowledged that the tying of Moujahid Fayyad to the hood of a military vehicle was a breach of standard operating procedures and has promised an investigation. This incident underscores the ongoing violence and tension in the West Bank, particularly in areas like Jenin that have long been flashpoints for conflict.
- In Gaza, rescue operations are hampered by the lack of necessary equipment, making it difficult to save lives and recover bodies from the rubble. The Red Crescent has reported that ambulance crews are being denied access to bombed areas, further complicating rescue efforts. The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate as the conflict drags on.
