More than 700 Palestinians have been killed and over 900 injured in Israeli airstrikes since Tuesday, Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported.
The ministry spokesman, Khalil Al-Dakran, stated that 70% of the injured were women and children. He warned that many of the wounded succumbed to their injuries due to a severe shortage of medical supplies and urgent care amid the ongoing Israeli blockade on Gaza.
The blockade has crippled Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, leaving hospitals unable to treat the influx of casualties adequately. The lack of essential equipment and medicines has forced medical professionals to rely on outdated methods and limited resources.
The aerial campaign launched on Tuesday morning shattered a fragile ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that had been in place since January. This escalation follows months of relative calm, raising fears that the violence could once again spiral out of control.
Nearly 50,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed since the Israeli military campaign began in October 2023, with over 112,000 others injured. The staggering death toll has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organisations and triggered protests across the Arab world.
Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou said on Thursday that talks with mediators are ongoing to halt the attacks and restore the ceasefire. He reiterated Hamas’ commitment to sparing civilians from war and called on the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take urgent action to lift the blockade and provide humanitarian aid.
Al-Qanou emphasised that the continuation of the blockade poses an existential threat to Gaza’s population, pushing many to the brink of starvation as essential supplies run out.
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In response to the escalating situation, several regional leaders have called for an emergency session of the Arab League to discuss the humanitarian catastrophe. International aid agencies are warning that without immediate intervention, Gaza’s 2.3 million residents could face unprecedented levels of deprivation and suffering.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
Despite the international legal challenges, the Israeli government has dismissed these warrants as politically motivated and vowed to continue its operations against what it calls “terrorist threats” from Gaza.
Human rights advocates have urged the United Nations to intervene, calling for immediate measures to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian corridors. However, diplomatic efforts have so far stalled, as the Israeli government insists that military operations are necessary to ensure its security.
Hamas has urged international organisations to pressure Israel into ending the siege, emphasising that the blockade has left civilians in dire need of food and medical supplies.
Aid agencies have raised concerns that the blockade and ongoing bombardment are worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. A spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) warned that the situation is rapidly deteriorating, with hospitals overwhelmed and makeshift shelters filled beyond capacity.
While mediators continue to seek a resolution, the escalating death toll underscores the urgent need for international intervention to prevent further loss of life. Calls for an immediate ceasefire have grown louder, but with both sides entrenched in their positions, the prospect of peace remains elusive.
