On a recent Saturday, Israel escalated its measures on Rafah in southern Gaza Strip, the last district of the territory yet to be invaded, by launching an attack on one of its major residential towers, according to locals. The 12-storey tower is positioned about 500 metres from the Egyptian border, and the attack left it strongly damaged and rendered many families homeless. No deaths were reported, residents added. The Israeli military, for its part, has not given any comments regarding this incident as at the time of reporting.
A local from the 300 inhabitants from the attacked building disclosed to Reuters that a warning of half an hour was given to evacuate the tower during the night. Remarking on the confusion and terror that ensued, Mohammad Al-Nabrees mentioned instances of people tripping on their way down the stairs in their distress, including his friend’s expecting wife.
A representative from Fatah party in Rafah expressed concerns that the attack on the tower could be an ominous hint of a looming Israeli invasion. This party is dominant in the Palestinian Authority, a body that has minor self-governance within the occupied West Bank.
Since the commencement of Israel’s unremitting air and ground attacks, which has now lasted for five months, health officials reported nearly 31,000 fatalities of Palestinians, over 72,500 injured and thousands still buried in the wreckage. This aggressive action has turned into a huge humanitarian disaster, the Palestinian jurisdiction, which had already been weakened by a 17-year blockade initiated by Israel. The conflict has led to the displacement of most of the 2.3 million citizens in Gaza, with the United Nations issuing warnings about impending sicknesses and famine.
Ashraf Al-Qidra, spokesperson for Gaza health ministry, informed that the death toll from causes similar to dehydration and malnutrition had risen to 23 in less than 10 days following the death of three Palestinian children at the Al Shifa Hospital in northern part of Gaza.
President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric, lamented, “This cruel war has damaged any perception of shared humanity.”
A plea for a halt in conflict to facilitate crucial aid distribution in Gaza was made. The call also encompassed demands for Hamas to unconditionally release all captives and for the Israelis to treat Palestinians in detention with decency, permitting them to reach out to their loved ones.
These hostilities were set in motion following an assault. The attack on southern Israel on October 7th, led by Hamas, resulted in the killing of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 253, as recorded by Israeli authorities.
Eyes were set on the commencement of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, around March 10th, for potential ceasefire talks and the liberation of the remaining 134 captives in Gaza. However, these efforts appeared to stumble prior to the ideal date. A Hamas member indicated to Reuters that their team was not anticipated to reconvene in Cairo for discussion over the ensuing weekend. The stalled progress was assigned to Israel, which has thus far not provided any assurance or pledge to cease war or withdraw troops from Gaza.
In a brief outlining its operations within Gaza over the prior day, the Israeli military referenced arrests, identification of weaponry and the extermination of over 30 fighters in Khan Younis, inclusive of regions in central Gaza and Beit Hanoun in the north.
The health ministry in Gaza declared that a minimum of 82 individuals died due to Israeli assaults throughout Gaza in the past day. Medics confirmed that no less than 23 individuals died during military incursions on households and during Israeli artillery barrages on a residential development in Khan Younis’ Hamad area. Further, in the northern Gaza Strip, a Palestinian fisherman was slain by Israeli gunfire along the shore, according to paramedics. – Reuters
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