The Gaza Strip remains under siege from ongoing Israeli airstrikes, with the latest reports from the Gaza Ministry of Health indicating a catastrophic death toll of 37,658 Palestinians since the attacks began on October 7, 2023. In a recent spate of violence, at least 24 individuals, including 10 family members of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, have been killed in Gaza City. The Israeli military asserts that the airstrikes aim to neutralize militants planning attacks against Israel, but the high civilian casualty rate, including women and children, has sparked widespread condemnation. The conflict has left the region in ruins, with essential infrastructure decimated and a severe shortage of medical supplies. The situation for children is particularly dire, with UNRWA reporting that an average of 10 children lose limbs daily due to the war. Additionally, malnutrition is rampant, and thousands of cancer patients and those with chronic diseases are without needed healthcare. The international community, including the US, is calling for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians, urging Israel to avoid further escalation and to reach a humanitarian-based agreement with Hamas.
Key points
- Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 24 Palestinians in recent attacks, including 10 relatives of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
- The Gaza Ministry of Health reports a total of 37,658 Palestinian deaths since the conflict began on October 7, 2023.
- UNRWA states that an average of 10 children in Gaza lose limbs every day due to the ongoing war.
