Martyrs as Aid Workers Targeted in Gaza
In a tragic escalation of violence, several Palestinians were martyred following targeted attacks by Israeli occupation forces on aid security personnel in the central Gaza Strip. Reports indicate that at least 30 Palestinians have lost their lives since dawn today, with four fatalities occurring due to shelling on Salah al-Din Street in Deir al-Balah. Eyewitness accounts and footage shared by Al Jazeera depict the harrowing scenes of the aftermath, showcasing the transfer of the deceased as the conflict intensifies.
In addition to the casualties among aid workers, further bombardments in Gaza City resulted in the deaths of multiple civilians. An Israeli airstrike near the currency market east of Gaza City claimed the lives of three Palestinians, while another attack in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood resulted in additional fatalities and injuries. The Israeli military has reportedly issued evacuation orders to residents in the Shuja'iyya area, urging them to relocate to the western parts of Gaza City.
Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis
The violence has not only led to significant loss of life but has also exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region. The bodies of 17 Palestinians, who were killed in separate Israeli raids on the Al-Mawasi area, were buried, highlighting the ongoing tragedy faced by families in Gaza. Furthermore, reports of incendiary attacks around Kamal Adwan Hospital have raised alarms, with images showing a citizen engulfed in flames after being targeted by Israeli forces. Efforts to rescue the individual were hampered by ongoing gunfire from military vehicles.
Al-Awda Hospital has reported a fire outbreak in its central drug warehouse due to nearby shelling, further complicating the already dire medical situation. The hospital administration has expressed its struggle to provide adequate medical services amid severe shortages of medicines and power outages, which have become commonplace since the onset of hostilities.
Rising Casualties Amid Ongoing Conflict
The Ministry of Health in Gaza has provided grim updates on the casualty figures since the beginning of the Israeli offensive on October 7, 2023. The ministry confirmed that Israeli forces have committed five massacres within a 24-hour period, resulting in 58 martyrs and 86 wounded individuals arriving at hospitals. The overall death toll from the ongoing conflict has tragically risen to 45,317, with over 107,713 reported injuries. This ongoing violence continues to raise international concerns regarding the humanitarian impact on the civilian population in Gaza.
