Gaza Under Fire: Death Toll Rises as Israeli Strikes Continue
Introduction
Gaza’s civil defence agency has reported that at least 15 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Beit Lahia, in the north of the Hamas-run territory. This comes as the area has been subjected to a major Israeli offensive for almost two months.
The Latest Attacks
The homes of the Baba and Ahmed families were hit in the past 24 hours by Israeli strikes, according to agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal. Sadly, only 10 bodies were able to be retrieved, with dozens more feared buried under the rubble of the two homes.
A Horse-Drawn Cart Retrieval Mission
In a harrowing incident, a person took a horse-drawn cart to retrieve the dead from the bombing of the Baba family home. Tragically, the cart was targeted by an Israeli drone while on its way back to Kamal Adwan Hospital, resulting in the deaths of five additional people.
The Situation on the Ground
The north of the Gaza Strip has been the target of an Israeli offensive since October 6, aimed at preventing Hamas from regrouping. The Kamal Adwan hospital, situated on the edges of Beit Lahia and Jabalia, has been affected by the violence, with the head of its intensive care unit, Ahmed al-Kahlout, killed in an Israeli strike.
The Israeli Military’s Response
When asked about the doctor’s death, the Israeli military stated that they were "unaware of a strike that occurred in this location or timeframe." This lack of transparency has raised concerns about the true extent of the violence in the region.
The War’s Devastating Consequences
The war, sparked by Palestinian group Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in the deaths of 1,207 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel’s retaliatory military offensive has claimed the lives of 44,363 people in Gaza, according to figures from the territory’s health ministry, which the United Nations considers reliable.
Conclusion
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. The international community must continue to pressure Israel to end its offensive and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the current situation in Gaza?
The Gaza Strip is under attack by Israeli forces, with the north of the territory being the target of a major offensive. - How many people have been killed in the conflict?
According to the United Nations, 44,363 people have died in Gaza, with 1,207 of those being civilians. - What is the cause of the conflict?
The conflict began when Palestinian group Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,207 people. - What is the response from Israel?
Israel’s military has launched a retaliatory offensive, which has resulted in the deaths of 44,363 people in Gaza.