The systematic targeting of civil defense teams in northern Gaza highlights a severe humanitarian crisis exacerbated by ongoing military operations.
The inability of humanitarian teams to operate effectively has resulted in significant loss of life, with thousands potentially trapped under rubble without aid.
International humanitarian laws designed to protect medical and humanitarian workers are being violated, raising concerns about accountability for these actions.
If the current situation persists, the number of casualties in northern Gaza could continue to rise as trapped individuals remain without assistance.
The international community may face increasing pressure to address the humanitarian crisis and hold accountable those responsible for targeting humanitarian workers.
Continued military operations may lead to further displacement of civilians, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the region.
In the northern Gaza Strip, civil defense and ambulance teams have been rendered ineffective for over four weeks due to systematic targeting by Israeli forces. The head of the Rapid Intervention Department, Abu Raafat Zaher, highlighted the dire situation, stating, 'People are dying under the rubble and there is no help.' The last mission conducted by these teams occurred on October 23, when they were forced to flee after an Israeli artillery shell struck an ambulance. Since then, an estimated 1,200 to 1,800 individuals remain trapped under the rubble of destroyed homes, unable to receive aid.
The humanitarian crisis has escalated, with Zaher reporting that many victims could have been saved had the civil defense teams been operational. He recounted a tragic incident where 15 individuals perished after being trapped for days under the debris of their home in Jabalia. The ongoing Israeli airstrikes have led to significant casualties, with around 150 people killed in a single night on October 25, as civil defense teams were unable to respond to emergency calls.
Despite the challenges, civil defense personnel continue to face immense risks in their humanitarian efforts, often working without proper equipment or support. The systematic targeting of these teams is viewed as part of a broader strategy to displace and exterminate the population in northern Gaza, according to Dr. Muhammad al-Mughayyir, Director General of Supply and Equipment at the Civil Defense Service. He noted that international organizations have failed to exert adequate pressure on the occupying state to allow humanitarian operations to resume.
