Gaza City – In a devastating escalation of the ongoing conflict, at least 592 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip in the last 72 hours following the collapse of a recent ceasefire agreement. The renewed violence comes amid a tightened blockade and intensified military operations, leaving civilians increasingly vulnerable.
Escalating Violence in Gaza
Local health officials report that the casualties are a direct result of Israeli strikes, which have continued relentlessly since the ceasefire ended. Israel has resumed its offensive, expanding its ground operations into Rafa in southern Gaza. Hamas has responded by firing rockets towards Tel Aviv, further fueling the cycle of violence.
Tightened Blockade and Restrictions
The Israeli military has reimposed a strict blockade on northern Gaza, including Gaza City. Movement is severely restricted, with Palestinians only permitted to move south on foot via the coastal road. This blockade is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation, limiting access to essential supplies and medical care.
Attacks on Healthcare Facilities
Adding to the crisis, an Israeli airstrike struck the northern gate of the Kuwaiti Field Hospital in the Gaza Strip. The attack resulted in the death of a medic and injuries to 10 others, marking the second strike on a Gaza health facility in just three days. Such attacks on medical facilities raise serious concerns about the protection of healthcare workers and patients during the conflict.
Rising Death Toll
The Gaza Ministry of Health reports that the overall death toll since the start of Israel’s offensive has surpassed 51,000, with over 1,600 deaths occurring since the end of the ceasefire. Women and children constitute more than half of the total fatalities, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict on the civilian population.
Civilian Shelters Targeted
In one particularly grim incident, Israeli strikes reportedly killed at least 26 Palestinians, with 15 deaths resulting from a strike on a school sheltering displaced people in Gaza City. The targeting of civilian shelters is a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
Hostage Situation
Amidst the ongoing conflict, Hamas’s armed wing released a video showing two Israeli hostages alive in the Gaza Strip. The release of the video may be an attempt to influence potential negotiations, but the overall situation remains highly volatile.
Roots of the Conflict
The current conflict is rooted in the Hamas-orchestrated attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 hostages. The cycle of violence continues to claim lives and deepen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.