The Gaza Strip is reeling from yet another wave of violence as the death toll continues to climb, reaching a staggering 28,985 Palestinians killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, according to reports by news agency Xinhua. In addition to the alarming number of fatalities, 68,883 Palestinians have been wounded since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 7, 2023.
Amid the ongoing clashes, the Israeli army intensified its assault, claiming the lives of 127 Palestinians and injuring 205 others within the last 24 hours alone, as reported by the health ministry. Tragically, some victims remain trapped under the rubble of bombed-out buildings, with the heavy bombardment hampering rescue efforts and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The situation took a dire turn with the targeting of Al-Amal Hospital in the city of Khan Younis, located in the southern Gaza Strip, by Israeli tanks. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society described the hospital as being subjected to multiple direct attacks, resulting in significant material damage and igniting fires that engulfed parts of the building. Amid the chaos, medical teams bravely evacuated patients, including one who was trapped along with companions, facing grave risks in the process.
Furthermore, the assault on the hospital’s fuel tanks added to the perilous conditions, hindering efforts to assess the full extent of the damage. The indiscriminate targeting of medical facilities and personnel represents a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, further exacerbating the suffering of civilians already caught in the crossfire.
The recent escalation in violence stems from Israel’s large-scale offensive against Hamas in response to a series of attacks initiated by the militant group. The conflict erupted following a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of over 200 hostages.
As the death toll continues to rise and humanitarian conditions deteriorate, calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to meaningful dialogue have grown louder. The international community must exert pressure on all parties involved to prioritize the protection of civilians and pursue peaceful avenues towards resolving the conflict in Gaza. Failure to do so will only perpetuate the cycle of violence and deepen the suffering of innocent lives caught in the crossfire.