Weighty battling in Gaza Israeli forces have expanded their ground offensive to Gaza’s second-largest city, engaging with Hamas militants throughout the territory. This has resulted from the disruption of essential distribution for the majority of the population. The UN estimates over 80% of’s population, which for 1.87 people, has already been due to the ongoing assault in the southern region.
The caused by conflict is devastating, with significant parts of the City and the north completely. Palestinians fear that the rest of Gaza may face similar destruction as Israel aims to dismantle Hamas, which has had a deep-rooted presence in the area for a significant period.
Weighty battling in Gaza
Israel has made it clear that it no longer intends to tolerate a Hamas military presence in Gaza following the conflict-triggering October 7 assault. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that Israel will maintain full control over the territory to ensure security, despite objections from the United States and the international community. Weighty battling in Gaza
The Israeli military announced on Tuesday that its troops are now located in the heart of the southern city of Khan Younis, marking the most intense day of fighting since the ground operation began five weeks ago. Heavy clashes have also taken place in the northern region. Weighty battling in Gaza
The distribution of aid has been severely limited for the past three days, with only Rafah, located on the southern border with Egypt, able to receive primarily flour and water supplies due to ongoing fighting and road closures enforced by Israeli forces, according to the UN’s humanitarian agency. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central town of Deir al-Balah faces critical shortages of fuel and medical supplies, endangering the lives of its patients. Since the ceasefire ended on December 1, the hospital has been receiving up to 200 wounded individuals daily. Weighty battling in Gaza
Marie-Aure Perreault Revial, the emergency coordinator for an aid organization in Gaza, emphasized the urgent need for electricity to power ventilators, perform blood donations, and sterilize surgical instruments. The shortage of surgical supplies and equipment to stabilize broken bones further exacerbates the dire situation. Weighty battling in Gaza
Power outages have plagued Gaza since the start of the conflict, and Israel has heavily restricted fuel imports, leading to the closure of several hospitals that depend on emergency generators to function.
Many people have sought refuge in Rafah following Israel’s resumption of hostilities after the ceasefire, including multiple displacements of individuals from the north.
The situation is dire, as stated by Hamza Abu Mustafa, a teacher who is currently accommodating three displaced families near a school converted into a shelter. Displaced people can be found throughout the streets, schools, hospitals, and mosques. Weighty battling in Gaza
The harsh conditions and limited access to toilets have been particularly challenging for pregnant women and those menstruating, according to Umm Ahmed, a Palestinian woman. The scarcity of menstrual pads, which are increasingly difficult to obtain, has been highlighted on social media.
Umm Ahmed described the double suffering experienced by women and girls as an even greater shame.
According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, over 16,200 people have lost their lives since the ceasefire, with women and children accounting for 70% of the casualties. Additionally, more than 42,000 individuals have been injured, with many still trapped amid the rubble. Weighty battling in Gaza
Weighty battling in Gaza
Disturbingly, the ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. The Israeli military provided a figure this week, without clarifying its methodology, claiming that approximately 5,000 of the deceased were militants. This tally aligns with their overall count.
The military argues that Hamas often uses civilians as human shields when operating in residential areas. However, Israel has not provided detailed records of specific strikes, some of which have decimated entire city blocks.
Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi explained that attackers hide weapons in homes and other structures, enabling combatants dressed as civilians to utilize them against troops. He emphasized that significant use of fire is necessary to neutralize this threat and protect Israeli forces.
Israel’s objective in removing Hamas from power is to prevent a repetition of the October 7 assault, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, primarily civilians, and the capture of around 240 individuals after breaching Israel’s defenses.
During last week’s ceasefire, over 100 hostages and 240 Palestinians held by Israel were released. However, an estimated 138 prisoners remain in Gaza, mostly consisting of soldiers and civilian men. Reports of widespread assault and other atrocities committed during this turmoil have deepened Israel’s outrage and further fueled support for the conflict.
Despite being under siege for an extended period, Hamas’ top leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, whose whereabouts are unknown, has still been able to lead complex negotiations for temporary truces and orchestrate the release of numerous prisoners. Furthermore, militant Palestinians continue to launch rockets at Israel.
This conflict has had a devastating impact on Palestinian civilians, surpassing the suffering endured in the four previous conflicts between Israel and Hamas. Unfortunately, their plight is set to worsen as the offensive continues.
Following the forced evacuation of northern Gaza early in the conflict, more than half of Gaza’s population has been squeezed into just 230 square kilometers (90 square miles) in the central and southern regions. The Israeli military has recently ordered people out of nearly two dozen areas in and around Khan Younis, further limiting the areas where civilians can seek shelter by more than a quarter.
Considering that many Palestinians feel unsafe anywhere in Gaza and fear not being allowed to return if they leave their homes, it remains unclear how many people have complied with the evacuation orders.