ছবি: Photo: Collected
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza’s northern cities of Beit Lahia and Jabalia have claimed the lives of at least 100 Palestinians in the past 24 hours. Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense, reported that 75 casualties occurred in Beit Lahia, while the remaining 25 were from Jabalia and surrounding areas.
Intensified Offensive in Northern Gaza
Since October 5, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have intensified operations in northern Gaza, targeting areas with heavy ground and air attacks. The continuous strikes have led to significant casualties and widespread destruction. Basal revealed that since the offensive began, Israeli air and ground forces have killed over 2,700 Palestinians in northern Gaza alone, with an additional 10,000 injured.
Northern Gaza is densely populated, housing a large portion of Gaza’s population. The humanitarian situation has deteriorated drastically, as Israel has enforced a blockade preventing the entry of essential supplies, including food, medicine, and fuel. The blockade has exacerbated suffering, creating dire conditions for civilians trapped in the conflict zone.
Hunger and Desperation
Basal highlighted the growing desperation among Gaza’s residents. Many of the individuals killed in the past day were reportedly seeking food and water outside their homes. “For nearly two months, no humanitarian aid has been allowed into northern Gaza,” he stated, adding that starvation and malnutrition are now widespread. The lack of basic necessities has led to a famine-like situation, further compounded by relentless airstrikes and ground assaults.
Civilians in northern Gaza face a grim reality of ongoing violence, food scarcity, and restricted access to medical care. Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly called for urgent intervention to alleviate the crisis, but the blockade remains firmly in place.
IDF Justification for Airstrikes
In a statement, the IDF defended its latest airstrikes, claiming they were based on intelligence suggesting that Hamas militants were regrouping in northern Gaza. The Israeli military has described its operations as a necessary measure to dismantle Hamas' infrastructure and prevent future attacks.
The Origins of the Escalation
The current conflict traces back to October 2023, when fighters from Hamas, the armed political group governing Gaza, launched an unexpected attack on Israeli territory. Armed militants infiltrated Israeli borders, killing over 1,200 people and abducting 242 hostages in a shocking act of violence.
Israel responded with an extensive military campaign targeting Hamas strongholds across Gaza. The operation, which began immediately after the attack, has since escalated into one of the deadliest and most destructive conflicts in recent years.
Unprecedented Casualties and Destruction
Since the offensive began, Gaza has suffered catastrophic losses. Over 44,400 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 100,000 injured, according to local authorities. The sheer scale of the destruction has left tens of thousands homeless, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. Hospitals in Gaza, already overwhelmed, struggle to cope with the influx of casualties, while essential medical supplies dwindle.
Growing International Outcry
The international community has expressed mounting concern over the situation in Gaza. Rights organizations and humanitarian agencies have described the conditions as a looming humanitarian catastrophe. Calls for ceasefires and corridors for humanitarian aid have been made repeatedly, but efforts have so far failed to yield tangible results.
As the death toll rises and humanitarian conditions worsen, Gaza remains on the brink of collapse. For the residents of northern Gaza, each passing day brings new challenges, with survival becoming an increasingly difficult struggle amidst unrelenting violence.
The path to peace and resolution seems elusive as both sides remain entrenched in a deadly cycle of retaliation and resistance. The human cost of the conflict continues to mount, leaving a trail of devastation that will take years to recover from.
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