Over 400 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israel’s carpet bombing, violating the ceasefire deal made on January 19th of this year. The Gaza Health Ministry reports claim at least 413 people, including children, have been murdered along with 562 injured, since the few hours of Israel renewing its attacks. The death toll is expected to rise as countless victims remain under the rubble. With the Gazan health facilities working on a limited resource supply, Al-Shifa Hospital director, Abu Salmiya says in his statement to Al-Jazeera Arabic- “Every minute a wounded person dies due to lack of resources.” This move comes after Israel’s two-week long total aid blockade in the Gaza strip, raising concerns of a devastating humanitarian crisis globally.
Journalist Bisan Owda reported that the Israel Occupying Forces (IOF) have bombed tents in Mawasi area of Khan Younis, make-shift homes and schools in Gaza City, Burrajj and Nusayrat refugee camps, east of Deir Balah, Jabalia, and countless other areas spanning across the entire Gaza strip. In her post, Owda further adds, Israel issued new forced evacuation plans, directing Palestinians to leave eastern Gaza strip, east Khanyounis and parts of Northern Gaza strip – an area populated with thousands of people living in makeshift homes and localities amidst the rubble.
In their statement regarding the bombings, the Israeli government said this action comes following Hamas’s refusal to release the remaining 59 hostages and rejections of proposals from Israeli and United States’ (US) governments on extending the framework of phase one of the ceasefire deal. It is important to note that this is in line with Israel’s continued hesitation to move on the phase two of the deal which involved an end to fighting in Gaza, return of all the captives and complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gazan territories.
Hamas official Izzat al Risheq said in a statement- “Netanyahu’s decision to resume war was a decision to sacrifice the occupation of prisoners and impose a death sentence on them”. In their statement, Hamas further adds that the Israeli government’s decision to violate the ceasefire agreement “exposes prisoners in Gaza to an unknown fate”.
In stark contrast to the global condemnation of Israel’s renewed attacks, the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the Trump administration and the White house had been consulted by Israel on the attacks. Shefurther added – “As President Trump has made it clear, Hamas, the Houthis, Iran, all those who seek to terrorise not just Israel, but al also the United States of America, will see a price to pay – all hell will break loose.”
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Anotnio Guterres claims to be shocked by the Israeli attacks killing “a meaningful number of civilians”. He appeals for the ceasefire deal to be respected for “unimpeded humanitarian assistance to be reestablished and for remaining hostages to be released unconditionally.”
So far, Israel’s 18-month long on-slaught on Palestinians in the Gaza strip has led to the death of more than 48,000 people, according to the Palestinian health authorities.
Words by Ray Das – Science and Tech Editor