Rising Casualties in Gaza Amid Ongoing Israeli Airstrikes
Recent reports indicate a devastating escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip, with medical sources confirming that at least 69 Palestinians have been killed due to Israeli airstrikes since early Sunday. The Israeli military has targeted multiple areas, including schools that are currently sheltering displaced individuals. Major Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Gaza, reported that four schools were struck within a 24-hour period, leading to significant casualties among civilians seeking refuge.
The situation has been exacerbated by the targeting of the Khalil Awida School in Beit Hanoun, where 43 individuals lost their lives. Eyewitness accounts and video footage shared by Palestinian activists depict the aftermath of these attacks, showing ambulances transporting the wounded from the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza. The director of the media office in Gaza, Ismail Al-Thawabta, stated that over 100 Palestinians have been killed in just two days, highlighting the brutal nature of the ongoing military operations.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Attacks Continue
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating rapidly, with reports indicating that the Israeli military has targeted more than 213 shelters since the onset of the current conflict. Al-Thawabta condemned the attacks, emphasizing that the military's actions constitute a systematic policy of starvation affecting over 2.4 million Palestinians, including one million children and nearly one million women. The closure of crossings and the blockade on aid have further deepened the crisis, leaving many without access to essential food and medical supplies.
The targeting of medical personnel and facilities has also raised alarms, with several doctors and medical staff reported killed in recent strikes, particularly at Kamal Adwan Hospital. Al-Thawabta called for international intervention, urging the global community and humanitarian organizations to pressure Israel to cease its military operations and protect civilians, journalists, and medical crews in the region.
