By In a devastating turn of events, hundreds of Palestinians lost their lives on Tuesday as Israel conducted air strikes on a hospital and a refugee camp in Gaza.
These locations were sought as shelters by people desperately trying to escape the relentless bombing of residential areas. The strikes have further exacerbated the ongoing crisis, with over 3,000 Palestinians already killed in Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip since October 7.
The Ahli Arab hospital in central Gaza bore the brunt of the Israeli air strikes, resulting in at least 500 casualties. Tragically, many victims remain trapped under the rubble, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Gaza’s government labelled this act a “war crime,” as the hospital housed numerous sick and wounded individuals and those forcibly displaced from their homes due to prior strikes.
International condemnation swiftly followed. Leaders from Canada, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, and WHO denounced the air strikes and urged the global community to intervene and put an end to such violations.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his outrage, condemning the strike for its blatant disregard for basic human values. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau echoed the sentiment, deeming the strike horrific and unacceptable.
The United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees reported another tragedy as an Israeli strike hit the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, claiming at least six lives. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA commissioner-general, condemned the bombing as outrageous and warned that the death toll might rise, emphasizing the increasingly perilous situation for civilians in Gaza.
Amidst this crisis, efforts to provide aid and relief face significant challenges. Medical buildings and facilities in Gaza are under immense strain, with 111 of them being hit by Israeli attacks.
Tragically, 12 medical workers have lost their lives, and 60 ambulances have been targeted. The World Health Organization (WHO) strongly condemned the attack on Al Ahli Arab Hospital, highlighting the dire need for medical assistance and the impossibility of evacuations due to the ongoing insecurity.
As the world watches, diplomatic efforts intensify. US President Joe Biden is set to visit Israel, pledging unwavering support and aiming to prevent the conflict from escalating further.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is also scheduled to visit Israel. Jordan’s King Abdullah urged a humanitarian-focused approach, warning against displacing Palestinian refugees to neighbouring countries and stressing the urgency of addressing the crisis within Gaza and the West Bank.
Relief goods are yet to reach Gaza due to the closure of the Rafah crossing, a critical entry point controlled by Israel. The World Food Programme (WFP) highlighted the deteriorating food situation in Gaza, emphasizing the need for urgent aid delivery to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
With stocks depleting rapidly, immediate action is imperative to alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza and address their urgent needs.
This unfolding tragedy in Gaza demands immediate global action and collaborative efforts to protect innocent lives and provide essential aid to those in desperate need.
