Recent reports from Gaza paint a dire picture of escalating violence and a collapsing humanitarian situation. Renewed hostilities have resulted in a surge of casualties, with over 90 Palestinians reportedly killed in the past 48 hours due to Israeli bombardments. Health officials indicate that at least 219 people have been injured since Good Friday, including many children. The Gaza Health Ministry has stated that at least 51,065 Palestinians have been confirmed dead and 116,505 wounded since the start of the conflict 18 months ago. The Gaza Government Media Office updated the death toll to more than 61,700, saying thousands of people missing under the rubble are presumed dead.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is deepening, with aid organizations warning of a “total collapse” due to an ongoing blockade on aid and supplies that started on March 2. Humanitarian supplies are dwindling, leading to desperation as food, water, and medicine run out. The situation is further exacerbated by attacks on healthcare facilities. An Israeli airstrike recently hit the northern gate of the Kuwaiti Field Hospital, resulting in the death of a medic and injuries to 10 others. UNICEF has expressed shock over the targeting of tents in the Gaza Strip, which killed 15 people.
Attacks on Displaced Persons
With nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents forcibly displaced, the attacks on tents housing displaced persons raise serious concerns about the protection of civilians. These incidents occur against a backdrop of ongoing conflict, including renewed hostilities despite earlier ceasefire agreements. Hamas has expressed openness to negotiating a swap of all captives for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a deal to end the war. The Gaza Strip has been governed by Hamas since 2007. Following Hamas’s takeover, Israel imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip, citing security concerns. The current conflict is the 15th war of the Gaza–Israel conflict.
International Response
The international community is increasingly alarmed by the situation in Gaza, with growing calls for an immediate ceasefire and increased humanitarian access to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population. The attacks on displaced persons and healthcare facilities have drawn strong condemnation, underscoring the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and the protection of vulnerable communities.