Diplomatic discord over Gaza crisis
In a tumultuous turn of events, Israel has intensified its operations in the strife-ridden southern Gaza Strip, amid a backdrop of a deepening humanitarian crisis and diplomatic discord with its American ally over the potential establishment of a Palestinian state, as per reports from AFP.
Eyewitnesses detailed Israeli forces unleashing airstrikes on the southern Gaza Strip, particularly targeting the Khan Younès sector, believed to house the local command of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, according to military sources. Friday witnessed a surge in casualties reported by the Hamas Health Ministry in Gaza, notably in Khan Younès, now the focal point of ground clashes and aerial bombardments after the initial phase concentrated on the northern region.
Returning from weeks of service in Gaza with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), war medicine specialist Enrico Vallaperta painted a grim picture, stating, "Today, almost everything is in ruins in Gaza, and what remains is teeming with people. We're working with a bare minimum of medical supplies to avoid running out."
The World Health Organization (WHO) has condemned the "inhumane living conditions" in the compact coastal territory, home to 2.4 million people grappling with severe shortages. Despite the ongoing conflict, Palestinian telecom operator Paltel announced a "gradual return" of communication services after nearly a week of near-total blackout, marking the lengthiest outage since the conflict erupted.
The conflict, triggered by an unprecedented Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in a staggering death toll of 1,140, predominantly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Approximately 250 individuals were abducted and taken to Gaza, with around a hundred released during a ceasefire at the close of November. A Palestinian armed group, aligned with Hamas, released a video claiming an injured Israeli hostage was killed in an Israeli strike.
In response to the October 7 attacks, Israel vowed to "annihilate" Hamas, persisting in relentless airstrikes despite calls for a ceasefire from the UN and a substantial portion of the international community. The Hamas Health Ministry reports that 24,762 people, primarily women, children, and adolescents, have lost their lives, with 62,108 sustaining injuries in the ongoing Israeli operations.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
