Over 70 killed as Israel bombs homes in Southern Gaza, death toll crosses 2,800

GAZA: More than 70 people have tragically lost their lives in Gaza’s Khan Younis, Rafah, and Deir el-Balah, following Israel’s airstrikes, as confirmed by the Ministry of Health in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

These fatalities occurred overnight on Tuesday, occurring approximately 10 days into Israel’s retaliatory actions against Hamas, the armed group that governs Gaza, in response to deadly attacks in southern Israel. The violence has taken a devastating toll, claiming at least 1,400 lives in Israel and over 2,800 in Gaza since October 7.

Many of the victims of the recent Israeli air raids were residents who had been evacuated from Gaza City and the northern region of the Gaza Strip, as per Israel’s directives, reported Al Jazeera.

Ambulances are tirelessly transporting the wounded to already overcrowded hospitals, with many individuals still trapped beneath the rubble of targeted structures, awaiting rescue.

Amidst the unfolding tragedy, eyewitnesses have conveyed heartbreaking accounts, with some asserting that Israel has been deliberately targeting children. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to ruins, leaving survivors grappling with the horrific aftermath.

As the situation escalates, Israel is preparing for a possible ground offensive, with troops continuing their movement toward the Gaza barrier fence, deploying armored vehicles, tanks, and a substantial military presence. The exact timing of a ground invasion remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, the United Nations human rights office has expressed concerns over Israel’s comprehensive blockade of Gaza, coupled with the evacuation orders, potentially constituting a forcible transfer of civilians in violation of international law.

Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani, speaking in Geneva, emphasized Israel’s obligation to ensure that evacuated individuals are provided with adequate accommodation and living conditions. Failure to do so could lead to violations of international law, particularly a forcible transfer of civilians, classified as a crime against humanity and subject to prosecution by the International Criminal Court.

As the situation in Gaza deteriorates, the World Food Programme (WFP) has raised alarms about dwindling food supplies within the enclave. WFP’s regional communication lead for the Middle East and North Africa, Abeera Etefa, urged for unimpeded access and safe passage for humanitarian supplies, stockpiled in the Egyptian city of El Arish, to reach Gaza.

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The World Health Organization has similarly called for urgent access to Gaza to deliver vital aid and medical supplies, warning of a looming humanitarian crisis. According to the UN Palestinian agency, UNRWA, fuel reserves at all hospitals across Gaza are projected to last for only 24 hours, potentially endangering the lives of thousands of patients.

Where is Gaza located?

Gaza is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Israel on the east and north, and by Egypt on the southwest. Gaza has a total area of about 141 square miles, which is roughly comparable to the size of Detroit or Philadelphia. Gaza is home to about 2 million Palestinians, making it one of the most densely populated areas in the world.