Israeli airstrikes claimed the lives of at least 100 Palestinians across Gaza overnight, as reported by local health authorities. The health ministry in Gaza indicated that public hospitals in the northern region are now “out of service,” particularly following the siege on the Indonesian hospital by Israeli forces.
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Since the beginning of March, Israel has imposed a blockade on the entry of medical supplies, food, and fuel into Gaza, a move intended to pressure Hamas into releasing Israeli hostages. Furthermore, plans are underway that may involve seizing control of the entire territory and regulating the flow of humanitarian aid.
Hamas has stated that it will only consider releasing its hostages in exchange for a ceasefire from Israel. “Israel’s position is unchanged; they seek the release of their prisoners without a commitment to end the conflict,” noted a Hamas official.
In a bid to mediate the ongoing crisis, Egypt and Qatar, with support from the United States, initiated a new round of indirect ceasefire talks yesterday. However, sources close to the negotiations reported a lack of any significant breakthrough.
Both Sky News Arabica and the BBC have cited that the Palestinian militant group proposed releasing about half of its Israeli hostages in return for a two-month ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
As the situation escalates, smoke has been seen billowing over Gaza during the latest wave of bombardment. Among the recent strikes, one targeted a tent encampment for displaced families in Khan Younis, tragically resulting in the deaths of women and children, and wounding many others while igniting several tents.
Hamas condemned this strike as a “new brutal crime” and has held the U.S. administration partially responsible for the increasing tensions. Among those lost were three journalists and their families, highlighting that even the media is not immune in this tumultuous conflict. Reports from medical officials indicate that one family in northern Gaza suffered the overwhelming loss of at least 20 members.
In a deeply personal tragedy, Zakaria Al-Sinwar, a history lecturer at a Gaza university and brother of former Hamas chief Yehya Al-Sinwar—who was killed by Israel last October—was also a victim of the airstrikes, along with three of his children.
The healthcare system in Gaza is on the verge of collapse, further exacerbated by repeated bombardments and raids on hospitals. The ongoing blockade has intensified the humanitarian crisis, contributing to widespread hunger, a situation for which Israel attributes blame to Hamas.
The Israeli military released a statement indicating that it is carrying out extensive operations throughout Gaza as part of its strategic objective. The stated goal is the dismantling of Hamas’s military and governmental infrastructure, which prompted an attack on Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the seizure of around 250 hostages.
The military campaign has left Gaza in ruins, displacing nearly all residents and claiming the lives of over 53,000 people, according to health authorities governed by Hamas.
“In the midst of chaos, recognizing our shared humanity is more crucial than ever.”
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
