Rescue teams and medical personnel in Gaza have reported that recent Israeli airstrikes have claimed the lives of at least 53 individuals, coinciding with the military’s new evacuation orders ahead of anticipated operations.
- Advertisement -
On March 18, Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza following the breakdown of a two-month ceasefire that had temporarily halted hostilities in the besieged Palestinian territory. As tensions escalated, Israel’s army chief, during a visit to troops in Gaza, warned of a “larger” offensive unless hostages taken during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, are released.
Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir stated, “If we do not see progress in the return of the hostages in the near future, we will expand our activities to a larger and more significant operation.” This underscores the gravity of the situation and the serious implications for those caught in the conflict.
Nidal al-Sarafiti, a relative of one of the victims, shared his harrowing experience, recounting how the strike occurred while his family was asleep. “What can I say? The destruction has spared no one,” he lamented to AFP, reflecting the widespread devastation affecting so many lives.
The Israeli military has also issued evacuation orders for residents in two northern Gaza areas as part of its ongoing operations. According to an Indonesian hospital statement, another strike on a former police station in Jabalia resulted in the deaths of nine people and numerous injuries, prompting a steady stream of casualties to be brought in for medical attention.
“Everyone started running and screaming, not knowing what to do from the horror and severity of the bombing,” recalled 23-year-old Abdel Qader Sabah from Jabalia, whose account highlights the panic and fear experienced during these attacks.
While the Israeli military claimed it targeted a Hamas “command and control centre,” it did not confirm whether the police station was the specific site of the operation. Tragically, the Hajj Ali family home in Jabalia was also struck, leading to the recovery of 12 bodies, as the civil defense agency reported an overall toll of 26 additional casualties across the enclave.
As evacuation orders were given for residents in Beit Hanoun and Sheikh Zayed, Avichay Adraee, the military’s Arabic-language spokesman, stated, “Due to ongoing terrorist activities and sniper fire against IDF troops in the area, the IDF is intensely operating in the area.”
In a further blow to healthcare in the region, the Gaza Health Ministry announced that the Durra Children’s Hospital in Gaza City is now non-operational after an Israeli strike damaged its upper facilities, including the intensive care unit. This escalation has led to alarming concerns from the United Nations, which warned that the widespread evacuation orders across Gaza may constitute a “forcible transfer” of the population into increasingly confined areas.
With around 2.4 million residents of Gaza having been displaced at least once since the conflict escalated, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen. A recent strike in Khan Younis captured the desperate atmosphere, with AFP footage showing bodies lying on the ground amid mourning relatives. “One by one we are getting martyred, dying in pieces,” grieved Rania al-Jumla, who lost her sister in a separate strike.
In a different context, Bulgaria has reported receiving an apology from Israel regarding the death of a Bulgarian UN worker due to Israeli military fire. Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister, Georg Georgiev, emphasized that “such tragedies must not happen again,” affirming the need for prioritizing the protection of humanitarian workers.
As the United Nations Office for Project Services confirmed the death of another employee in Deir el-Balah from unexploded ordnance, the military acknowledged that its tank fire contributed to these tragedies, albeit unintentionally. “The building was struck due to assessed enemy presence and was not identified by the forces as a UN facility,” the military clarified in a statement.
Stéphane Dujarric, a UN spokesperson, confirmed that “an Israeli tank” had struck the UN compound, resulting in tragedy and further complicating the humanitarian landscape. Despite initial claims to the contrary, the military expressed sorrow for the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved family, committing to a thorough review process to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The Israeli military has faced scrutiny over a recent probe that revealed mistakes leading to the deaths of 15 Palestinian emergency workers, resulting in the dismissal of a field commander. The already strained health system in Gaza has suffered greatly from the ongoing military campaign initiated in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas, with reports indicating that over 1,900 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire collapsed.
Amid these escalating tensions, diplomatic efforts led by Arab mediators from Qatar and Egypt, along with support from the United States, have failed to bridge the divide between Israel and Hamas. The initial attack by Hamas in October 2023 resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals, with an additional 251 hostages taken to Gaza. The ongoing Israeli offensive has resulted in the loss of more than 51,300 Palestinians, according to health officials.
In a world longing for peace, we are reminded of the words of Nelson Mandela, who aptly stated, “It always seems impossible until it is done.” As the humanitarian crisis continues to unfold, the hope remains for a resolution that respects the dignity and lives of all involved.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
