Israeli Airstrikes Pound Gaza Strip, Palestinians Trapped, Nowhere Safe
Israeli airstrikes continue to relentlessly pound the Gaza Strip, causing distress and panic among the more than 2 million Palestinians trapped in the territory. As Israel instructed Palestinians to seek refuge in the southern parts of Gaza, fears grow that nowhere is safe from the intense bombardment. The Israeli defense minister has ordered ground troops to prepare for a potential invasion of Gaza.
Amidst the ongoing assault, overwhelmed hospitals in Gaza are struggling to cope with limited medical supplies and dwindling fuel for their generators. Medical professionals are left with no choice but to stitch wounds in dimly lit wards, using the light from their mobile phones. In a desperate attempt to treat infected wounds, doctors have resorted to using vinegar from local stores.
Israel’s military offensive is in retaliation for a destructive rampage by Hamas in southern Israel almost two weeks ago. Despite urging Palestinians in the north of Gaza to evacuate and seek safety in the south, Israeli strikes continue to target the entire territory. Palestinian militants also persist in firing rockets into Israel.
On the Gaza border, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with Israeli infantry soldiers and instructed them to prepare for a potential move into Gaza. Tens of thousands of Israeli troops have been mobilized along the border in anticipation of an invasion.
Amid the chaos, efforts are underway to deliver much-needed aid to Gaza from Egypt. However, logistical challenges continue to hinder the distribution of essential supplies. Hospitals, already strained by the influx of casualties, are desperately trying to ration their remaining medical supplies and fuel. To conserve power, many departments have been forced to shut down, and staff members rely on mobile phone lights to carry out their duties.
The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza has left its 2.3 million residents with limited access to food and clean water, with some people surviving on just one meal a day. Israel has not permitted the entry of fuel, although Egypt is currently negotiating the possibility of allowing fuel to reach hospitals. Gaza’s second-largest hospital, located in Khan Younis, has been hit particularly hard by the fuel shortage, with power mostly cut off except for vital functions.
The Gaza Health Ministry has issued a plea to gas stations to provide any remaining fuel they have to hospitals. In a small glimmer of hope, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has donated some of its remaining fuel supplies to help keep hospitals running. However, these efforts only provide short-term relief.
The scale of the humanitarian crisis is alarming. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 3,785 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the conflict, with the majority being women, children, and older adults. Nearly 12,500 others have been injured, and an estimated 1,300 people are trapped under the rubble. Meanwhile, in Israel, more than 1,400 individuals, mostly civilians, have lost their lives during the recent surge in violence.
In a desperate bid to escape the ongoing violence, over 1 million Palestinians, constituting almost half of Gaza’s population, have fled their homes in the northern part of the territory. Many have sought refuge in overcrowded schools-turned-shelters or with relatives.
The prospects of aid finally reaching Gaza through the Rafah border crossing, which connects the territory to Egypt, offer a glimmer of hope. However, the agreement remains tenuous as Israel insists the supplies can only be distributed to civilians in southern Gaza. Any diversion of aid by Hamas will be thwarted, according to Israel. U.S. President Joe Biden has warned that the delivery of aid will cease if Hamas interferes.
Efforts are underway to repair the damaged road at the Rafah border, caused by Israeli airstrikes. As of now, no equipment has arrived to commence the repair work. Over 200 trucks carrying approximately 3,000 tons of aid from various organizations are currently positioned near Rafah, awaiting the green light.
The first deliveries of aid are expected to take place on Friday, with approximately 20 trucks set to cross into Gaza. Whether foreigners and dual nationals in Gaza will be allowed to leave remains unclear. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stated that as long as the crossing operates normally and the facility is repaired, departures may be permitted.
Negotiations for aid deliveries have sparked a furious response from the families of the Israelis held captive by Hamas. They argue that while the captives remain underground and face dire conditions, the Israeli government is providing assistance to the perpetrators.
Additionally, violence is escalating in the West Bank, with Israel conducting a rare airstrike at the Nur Shams refugee camp. Israeli forces had previously raided the camp, and clashes with Palestinian fighters are ongoing. At least six Palestinians have been killed in the camp, while ten Israeli officers have been wounded. Since the conflict began, over 74 Palestinians have lost their lives in the West Bank.
In a further escalation of violence, Hezbollah militants in Lebanon fired missiles into northern Israel, damaging a kibbutz. The Israeli military responded with shelling on border areas in Lebanon. Hamas militants also launched rockets from southern Lebanon, targeting Israeli towns. There are growing concerns that the Hamas-Israel conflict may spread across the region.
As the violence and humanitarian crisis worsen, the international community faces mounting pressure to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict, ensuring the safety and well-being of all civilians caught in the crossfire.
