Israel’s military continues its relentless assault on Gaza, with reports emerging of further casualties following the recovery of a deceased Palestinian body from rubble in the devastated enclave. Israeli forces shot and killed at least one person as Palestinian health authorities confirmed a second death in the war-torn region, marking a further escalation of the conflict and raising concerns about the humanitarian situation within Gaza. The Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported that Israeli forces killed one Palestinian east of Deir el-Balah in central Gaza on Saturday, citing medical sources.
This comes as the Gaza Ministry of Health confirmed the deaths of two Palestinians, including one recovered from the rubble, in Israeli attacks. At least five people, including children, were wounded in Israeli attacks across southern Gaza cities, including Khan Younis and Rafah, according to QNA. Local sources described several instances of Israeli tanks firing on tents sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis, resulting in the critical wounding of a woman. A girl was seriously wounded in the al-Mawasi coastal area of Rafah. Israeli artillery shelling continued in areas east of Khan Younis, and Israeli fire wounded several more people in the al-Mahatta area of Gaza City’s Tuffah neighbourhood.
Israel’s Health Ministry stated that since Israel launched its genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza in October 2023, a total of 73,386 deaths and 174,250 wounded have been recorded, with the remains of many individuals buried under rubble. Ambulance and Palestinian Civil Defence crews remain unable to reach these individuals, hindering rescue efforts.
In response to a ‘ceasefire’ agreement that took effect in October, the Health Ministry recorded 1,258 killed by Israel, 4,139 wounded, and 807 bodies recovered from the rubble of destroyed buildings. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that Israel has rejected United States President Donald Trump’s 15-point plan for Gaza, emphasizing that Israeli forces will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed. This rejection follows a similar position taken by the US-led Board of Peace, which asserted that an Israeli withdrawal would only occur once Hamas’s disarmament is complete, leaving both the ceasefire’s terms and any timeline for Israel’s exit from Gaza unresolved.
The continued violence underscores the gravity of the situation and raises critical questions about the future of Gaza, with the world watching closely as the conflict unfolds. The situation remains dire, and aid organizations are struggling to access those in need within the besieged region.
Source: Al Jazeera
