Increased Casualties in Gaza as Israel Escalates Attacks Amid Humanitarian Crisis

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
21/10/2024 23h21

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The conflict in Gaza has intensified dramatically, leading to severe destruction and a rising death toll among Palestinians. On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike on Beit Lahia resulted in at least 87 fatalities, according to local health officials. Among the dead were many women and children, as recounted by survivor Ahmed Al Hajeen.

"We were asleep around 12 a.m. when it suddenly felt like an earthquake hit the area. Debris was falling on us," Al Hajeen said. "Tons of explosives had fallen on a residential neighborhood full of civilians and displaced families. All those who were martyred here are children, women, and displaced people who fled from other areas due to heavy strikes, seeking shelter in what they believed to be a safer place."

In addition to the Beit Lahia attack, another 33 Palestinians were reportedly killed by Israeli strikes on Sunday, including 18 in the Jabaliya refugee camp. Harrowing footage has emerged on social media, appearing to show people in Jabaliya being hit while trying to rescue an injured person on the street.

The situation for medical facilities in northern Gaza is dire. Israel is targeting the last three functioning hospitals—Indonesian, Al-Awda, and Kamal Adwan hospitals. Doctors Without Borders reports that over 350 patients are believed to be trapped inside these hospitals. Dr. Marwan Sultan, director of the Indonesian Hospital, made an urgent video call for assistance, highlighting the critical situation: "Since the middle of the night, the Indonesian Hospital exposed to attack by the Israeli forces, and they attacked the second and third floor. Now we have 40 patients. Thirty of them, they are injured patients... the light, electricity is off since midnight."

Human rights organizations are also facing severe restrictions. Israel has blocked six medical NGOs, including Glia and the Palestinian American Medical Association, from entering Gaza. Compounding the crisis, four water engineers were killed by Israeli forces while traveling to repair infrastructure near Khan Younis. Their vehicle was clearly marked, yet they were still attacked, according to Oxfam.

The Palestinian Authority has condemned Israel’s actions, stating, "Genocide is unfolding in northern Gaza in its clearest form—in full view of the world—marked by siege, starvation, forced displacement, destruction of buildings, aerial bombardment, targeting of health centers, and mass killings."

Further highlighting the tragic human impact, 10-year-old Farah al-Dalou recently succumbed to severe burns, just days after her 19-year-old brother died in an Israeli strike on Al-Aqsa Hospital, which caused a significant fire.

Dr. Ayaz Pathan, an emergency medicine doctor who recently returned from Gaza, reflected on the dire conditions. He emphasized the severe shortage of food and medical supplies, particularly in the besieged hospitals. "In any other situation or country in the world... it was tragic to watch people be in pain, die in pain, die of infections which are completely preventable," Pathan said.

The escalating conflict and severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza continue to draw international attention as calls for intervention grow louder.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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