X

Tragedy in Gaza: Over 90 Lives Lost Amid Escalating Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis

Tragedy in Gaza: Over 90 Lives Lost Amid Escalating Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
Tuesday 29 October 2024 - 15:35
Zoom

In a devastating airstrike early Tuesday, Israeli forces reportedly killed more than 90 individuals, including 20 children, in a residential building in Beit Lahia, Gaza. This incident marks one of the deadliest attacks in recent months, coinciding with Israel's intensified military operations in the northern region of the Palestinian enclave.

The strike targeted a five-story building housing approximately 200 residents, according to local officials. The Gaza government media office reported that 93 people were confirmed dead, with another 40 missing and many more injured. The nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few remaining medical facilities in Gaza, was unable to treat the wounded due to a lack of medical personnel following a prolonged siege by Israeli forces. The Palestinian Health Ministry warned that critical cases without medical intervention would likely result in fatalities.

The ongoing military campaign has claimed over 43,000 lives in Gaza over the past year, following Hamas' attack on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of 250 others. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged reports of civilian casualties in Beit Lahia, stating that they are investigating the incident. They urged caution regarding information from Hamas sources, which they claim have proven unreliable in the past.

Compounding the humanitarian crisis, the Israeli parliament recently enacted a law banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating within Israel or engaging with Israeli authorities. This controversial legislation has drawn criticism from international allies, including the United States, which views UNRWA as a crucial entity in alleviating the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza.

UNRWA, established in 1949 to assist Palestinians displaced by the creation of Israel, currently provides essential services, including food, water, and medical supplies, to Gaza's 2 million residents. The new law, set to take effect in three months, threatens to severely restrict or entirely halt UNRWA's operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, condemned the legislation as "unprecedented" and tantamount to "collective punishment" for Palestinians, asserting that it would deprive 650,000 children of their education. The U.S. State Department expressed deep concern over the law, emphasizing the agency's vital role in delivering humanitarian assistance.

Israel has long accused UNRWA of being infiltrated by Hamas, intensifying its criticism following the October 7 attacks. Although UNRWA has dismissed allegations of widespread collaboration, the agency's credibility has been further scrutinized, leading to funding suspensions from several countries. Despite some funding resuming, UNRWA faces an $80 million shortfall this year.

As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the international community watches closely, grappling with the implications of escalating violence and the urgent need for humanitarian aid.


Read more