In a tragic incident, an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza town of Rafah resulted in the deaths of 16 people, including half a dozen children, according to medics. The strike occurred early Thursday as the Israeli military continued to target areas in the besieged territory where civilians were told to seek refuge.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has now entered its 100th day, with Israel’s military campaign aiming to dismantle the militant group ruling Gaza since 2007 and secure the release of captives. However, this has resulted in one of the deadliest and most destructive military campaigns in recent history.
More than 24,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, and approximately 85% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people have been displaced from their homes. The United Nations reports that a quarter of the population is facing starvation.
Hundreds of thousands of people in southern Gaza have sought shelter in overcrowded United Nations-run facilities and tent camps. However, Israeli strikes continue to target areas throughout Gaza, resulting in the deaths of innocent women and children.
They were suffering from hunger, they were dying from hunger, and now they have also been hit, said Mahmoud Qassim, a relative of the victims.
The war has also disrupted communication channels, with internet and mobile services in Gaza being down for five days. This hampers rescue efforts and makes it difficult to obtain real-time information on the ongoing strikes and casualties.
The conflict has far-reaching consequences, with Iran-backed groups targeting US and Israeli interests and the potential for other conflicts in the region. In Yemen, Houthi rebels continue to target international shipping despite airstrikes led by the United States.
Israel has made it clear that its objective is to dismantle Hamas and prevent future attacks. The recent agreement to deliver medicines was the first of its kind since November. However, it remains uncertain whether they have reached the hostages, who are held in undisclosed locations, including underground bunkers.
Despite the devastation in Gaza, Hamas continues to fight back and launch rockets into Israel. The group has declared that it will not release any more hostages until a permanent ceasefire is established, a condition rejected by Israel and the United States.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the death toll since the start of the war has reached 24,448 Palestinians, with over 60,000 wounded. Israel attributes the high civilian death toll to Hamas’s practice of fighting in densely populated areas.
As the conflict escalates into its 100th day, the situation in Gaza remains dire. The international community continues to appeal for a swift resolution to prevent further loss of innocent lives and alleviate the humanitarian crisis that has befallen the people of Gaza.
