Escalation of Israeli Aggression on Gaza: Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip persisted overnight from Wednesday into Thursday, leaving civilians and journalists with the grim reality that nowhere seemed safe. The situation escalated as Israel intensified its bombing campaign, with the Rafah district being the primary target, resulting in dozens of Palestinian casualties and significant damage to roads leading from the border crossing with Egypt. Al Jazeera reported a tragic toll of at least 121 martyrs and 540 injuries in Gaza since Wednesday evening.

In the al-Zahra neighbourhood, Palestinian media reported that Israeli warplanes carried out a devastating attack, completely demolishing four residential towers immediately after nearly 100 Palestinians had evacuated the premises. The United Nations has reported that a staggering number of people in Gaza, nearly one million, equating to almost half the population, have been displaced after fleeing their homes. Among these displaced Gazans, approximately 352,000 individuals are now seeking refuge in schools managed by UNRWA.

Simultaneously, Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian youth through deadly military raids in the West Bank. Overnight on Wednesday and into Thursday, at least seven Palestinians, including four children, tragically lost their lives to Israeli forces during these raids. This brought the West Bank death toll to at least 69 Palestinians since October 7. Among these casualties, 16-year-old Taha Mahameed was shot and killed during confrontations in the Nur Shams refugee camp, which Israel’s military had placed under siege. Reports included soldiers restricting movement, raiding homes, and bulldozing streets.

Israeli forces also killed 14-year-old Ahmad Saduq in Bethlehem, Qais Shalash, 17, Khalil Khalil, 15, Mohammad Fawaqam, 21, and Jibril Awad in villages west of Ramallah. In the Nablus governorate, Israeli forces killed Ibrahim al-Hajj Ali, 24. Further, the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society reported that Israel detained at least 120 Palestinians, including lawmakers, civic leaders, former prisoners, and journalists. This alarming figure contributes to the overall count of at least 850 Palestinians detained since October 7. Additionally, settler violence against Palestinians, often under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces, continues to be a concerning issue.

A press conference held by Mr. Iyad Al-Buzm, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior and National Security in Gaza, took place at Al-Shifa Hospital. Mr Al-Buzm emphasized the dire situation, announcing that the Rafah crossing, the sole gateway for Gaza to connect with the outside world, has been closed for the thirteenth consecutive day. This ongoing closure compounds the tragic humanitarian crisis in the region, and there is an urgent call for the crossing to be reopened. He stated that it is essential to allow the entry of humanitarian aid and essential supplies for the besieged people in Gaza. Furthermore, he emphasized that it is crucial to permit the travel of the wounded, whose numbers now exceed 13,000, surpassing the hospitals’ capacity in the Gaza Strip.

In a separate press statement, Salama Marouf, the Head of the Government Media Office, decried a new and criminal act by the occupying forces, as they deliberately targeted and shelled the vicinity of bakeries, where dozens of citizens were queuing to purchase bread, resulting in numerous casualties and hundreds of injuries. He illustrated that the ongoing targeting of bakery areas underscores the absence of red lines in their actions, making it increasingly challenging for civilians to access basic necessities. Marouf called upon the international community to condemn this atrocity and intervene urgently to halt the occupying forces’ assault, with women and children being the most affected.

The Ministry of Health’s reports indicate that the number of casualties resulting from the Israeli aggression has risen to 3,785 martyrs, including 1,524 children, 1,000 women, and 120 elderly individuals. Additionally, 12,493 others have sustained various injuries, including 3,983 children and 3,300 women.

The Israeli occupation’s massacre at Baptist hospital

Dr. Ashraf al-Qedra, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, shared harrowing information about the unfathomable massacre at Baptist Hospital, committed by the Zionist occupation. The brutality witnessed at this hospital is incomprehensible and cannot be put into words. He revealed that numerous victims were brought to the hospital, their conditions so severe that medical teams were struggling to piece together dismembered bodies. Tragically, a significant portion of the victims are innocent children and women, their features distorted by the sheer severity of the injuries they sustained. The extent of the casualties and the severity of injuries have overwhelmed medical professionals and the available ambulances. Physicians have been forced to conduct surgeries on the floor and in hallways, some without proper anaesthesia, as they grapple with the influx of patients. As the medical staff grapples with a surge in patients, a considerable number await surgeries, while others fight for their lives in intensive care units. The remaining medical resources are dwindling fast, and the situation is rapidly approaching a critical point where essential supplies will be entirely exhausted.

In a statement by Ismail Haniyeh, the Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, he addressed the recent massacre at Baptist Hospital in Gaza. Haniyeh emphasized that this horrific event serves as a stark reminder of the enemy’s brutality and represents a clear testament to the resounding defeat of the occupying forces. The Baptist massacre, he noted, joins a grim series of massacres committed by the occupation since its initial presence in Palestine. Haniyeh illustrated that the enemy displays a lack of respect for values, laws, and principles, as they have dared to violate the sanctities of Allah and transgressed His boundaries on the land, within holy sites, and in the lives of the Palestinian people and the Ummah.

Highlighting the enduring spirit of resistance, Haniyeh declared that it would persist until the occupiers departed from Palestinian soil and sacred places. He firmly dismissed any illusion the enemy might hold, suggesting that its massacres could conceal its resounding defeat or coerce the Palestinian people into submission. Haniyeh issued a call to action, urging the Palestinian people in the West Bank, al-Quds, and within 48 Occupied territories to take to the streets and vehemently denounce the Israeli aggression. Furthermore, he extended an impassioned appeal to the Arab and Islamic Ummah, urging them to unite in condemnation of this monstrous massacre.

Protests have erupted throughout the region in response to Israel’s bombing of a hospital in Gaza on Tuesday night, and they have continued into Wednesday. Demonstrations of significant scale were reported in Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, Yemen, and Turkey. Protesters gathered outside Israeli missions and embassies in Turkey and Jordan, with some attempting to storm the Israeli embassy. In the occupied West Bank, a general strike and three days of mourning were declared, leading to widespread protests and clashes with Palestinian Authority Security Forces. Calls for political change and government opposition were voiced in the demonstrations.

Ashraf al-Qedra, the Gaza Ministry of Health Spokesperson, addressed the severe consequences of the ongoing 12-day Israeli aggression in a press conference.

• The successive massacres committed by the Israeli occupation constitute ethnic cleansing and a severe threat to the Palestinian existence.
• The targeting of hospitals and the commission of an indescribable massacre within Baptist Hospital premises pose a grave danger to the healthcare system.
• The casualty toll of the massacre committed by the occupation within Baptist Hospital has reached 471 martyrs, with 28 in critical condition, in addition to 314 injuries of varying severity.
• The total casualties from the Israeli aggression for the twelfth consecutive day stand at 3,478 martyrs and 12,065 with various injuries.
• Seventy per cent of the victims of the Israeli aggression are children, women, and the elderly.
• The massacres perpetrated by the Israeli occupation against families have affected 433 families, with 2,421 martyrs among them, and hundreds are still buried under the rubble.
• We have received around 1,300 reports of missing individuals beneath the rubble, including 600 children.
• It is anticipated that there are survivors among the missing beneath the rubble but accessing them is extremely challenging due to continuous targeting and limited resources.
• As hospitals are on the brink of an actual collapse, the coming hours are critical for the future of providing healthcare services to patients and the wounded.

Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Escalates: Daily Update on Ongoing Israeli Aggression

The condition in Gaza is worsening as the residents endure the 11th consecutive day of relentless attacks by Israeli occupation forces. The humanitarian crisis is severe due to Israel’s complete blockade of the region, which is preventing the delivery of essential items such as food, water, medical resources, and fuel into the Gaza Strip.

In the southern Bureij region, which the Israeli occupation forces had designated as a ‘safe’ zone for civilians to seek refuge, a massacre occurred in a school where refugees had taken shelter. In Khan Younis, another family was targeted by an airstrike, resulting in the death of 30 people as their house collapsed on top of them. These daily atrocities demonstrate a clear pattern of civilians being targeted in their homes, schools, and public streets.

According to Palestinian media reports, at least 71 Palestinians have been killed and dozens wounded in airstrikes hitting homes in Rafah and Khan Younis, both located in the southern part of Gaza. Shockingly, all of these casualties occurred in areas that were designated as “safe” zones by the Israeli army, where people had been directed to seek refuge. This disturbing pattern has emerged whereby the Israeli army instructs residents to flee to these areas only to subsequently bomb them.

As ambulances struggle to rescue survivors from the rubble and transport them to overcrowded hospitals, medical teams anticipate a rising death toll as many people remain trapped. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, for instance, is overwhelmed, facing a shortage of medical supplies and urgently requesting a humanitarian corridor and medical assistance to cope with the overwhelming number of patients.

The daily update from the Government Media Office regarding the tally of the Israeli occupation’s ongoing aggression on Gaza for the eleventh consecutive day is as follows:

The occupation has committed 394 massacres against Palestinian families since the beginning of its aggression on Gaza on October 7th of this year, resulting in the martyrdom of 2,136 lives, with over 65% of them being women and children.

In the last 24 hours, 198 individuals have been martyred, and 575 citizens have been injured.

The total number of healthcare personnel martyred since the start of the aggression is 37, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics.

The number of child martyrs has risen to 940 boys and 1,032 girls.

33 healthcare facilities have ceased to function, and the occupation has taken 23 ambulances out of service through direct bombardment.

The occupation continues to target educational institutions. The Ministry of Education has documented damage to 153 schools, with 18 schools now out of service.

The occupation has completely demolished 4,500 residential buildings, comprising 12,000 housing units. Moreover, approximately 113,300 housing units have suffered partial damage, with 8,190 units rendered uninhabitable.

The Tragedy of Palestinian Families in the Face of Israeli Aggression

In an official statement released by the Government Media Office, it has been reported that, since the onset of the Al-Aqsa Flood, the occupying forces have committed 371 atrocities against Palestinian families, relentlessly bombarding their residences without any prior warning or notification. These harrowing acts have led to the martyrdom of 1981 lives, with a significant majority comprising children and women.

Furthermore, the number of martyrs in these massacres varied, with as few as three martyrs in the smallest incidents, such as the Raddwan, Abu Al-Raish, and Alwan families, and 42 martyrs in the Al-Najjar family massacre. Some of these families have been completely removed from the civil registry, as was the case with families like Shihab, Al-Najjar, Moukaranah, Noufal, and Dalou.

This surge in the frequency of massacres over a short period underscores the inhumanity and brutality of the Israeli occupation, epitomized by relentless and indiscriminate bombings targeting entire residential neighbourhoods. It also sheds light on the international community’s inaction, as it has largely remained silent in the face of these heinous crimes against innocent civilians.

Additionally, the government’s media office has declared that the Israeli occupation’s bombing of the Civil Defense headquarters, resulting in the martyrdom of five of its team members and the injury of eight others, constitutes a new war crime that necessitates accountability, prosecution, and punishment. The government’s media office highlighted that the Civil Defense is a civilian entity providing rescue and firefighting services, and its teams have been targeted multiple times during their field missions since the beginning of the aggression.

Instead of responding to the international call for assistance issued by the Civil Defense just hours before, requesting the necessary rescue equipment and devices to extract hundreds of martyrs and expedite the evacuation of the injured from beneath the rubble of the demolished buildings, the occupation directly targeted its headquarters, defying the world and disregarding all agreements that safeguard the protection of rescue teams and mandate the provision of necessary assistance to ensure the success of their missions.

This heinous crime demands a practical international response commensurate with its gravity, requiring immediate intervention from international organizations, foremost among them the International Committee of the Red Cross, to protect the Civil Defense teams and supply them with the required equipment to carry out their missions in rescuing the wounded and retrieving the martyrs.

Meanwhile, during a press conference held by the Ministry of Health, Dr Ashraf al-Qedra, the ministry’s spokesperson, stated, “Approximately 1200 reports of missing individuals trapped under the rubble of their homes have been recorded, including around 500 reports of missing children. We hope that some of them are still alive.” The Ministry of Health has also announced that the number of martyrs brought to hospitals has reached 2778 martyrs and 9938 wounded individuals as of now.

Moreover, between October 7 and October 15, Israel’s occupying forces detained close to 600 Palestinians in various regions, including the West Bank, Jerusalem, and ’48 occupied Palestine. Among those detained, six were children, as reported by the Addameer prisoners’ rights organization. On one specific Sunday night, Israel carried out a mass detention of 70 Palestinians, including two journalists, with 28 of them reportedly detained in Nablus, Ramallah, and Bethlehem, according to the Wafa News Agency.

Consequently, it is important to note that before the Al-Aqsa Flood operation, there were approximately 5,200 Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons. Addameer has expressed concerns that Israel is engaged in widespread arbitrary detentions and inflicting collective punishments on Palestinian prisoners. This has included nighttime raids on homes over the past week, causing severe damage to personal property and posing threats of harm to detainees and their families, all while using excessive force. Additionally, the Israel Prison Service (IPS) cut off the electricity supply for four consecutive days in the notorious Naqab desert prison for Palestinian prisoners. In Nafha, Ramon, and Ofer prisons, Israeli prison officials disrupted the provision of both water and electricity to the prisoners.

In addition, visits from families and lawyers were prohibited, and the prison canteens remained shut, leaving the prisoners dependent on “two small and low-quality meals.” Further, prisoners who are affiliated with Hamas are segregated from the rest of the prisoners. According to Addameer, these worsening conditions can be attributed to the lack of international response to the occupation’s long-standing transgressions and the absence of any mechanism for holding it accountable.

In light of these developments, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has rejected Western pressure to condemn the Hamas movement and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to maintaining relations with the group. He noted that Western officials have consistently urged Malaysia to condemn Hamas, but his government disagrees with this approach. Anwar emphasized that Malaysia has had a pre-existing relationship with Hamas, and they intend to continue it. He highlighted that Hamas was democratically elected in Gaza, and the people in Gaza chose them as their leaders.

On his part, Colombia president Gustavo Petro has threatened to sever diplomatic ties with Israel after they halted military exports to Colombia. Petro’s response came in the wake of Israel’s suspension, triggered by his social media posts drawing parallels between Gaza and World War II concentration camps where Nazis killed millions of Jews and decrying what he termed the “genocide” of Palestinian civilians. Israeli spokesperson Lior Haiat commented that Petro’s statements support Hamas, fuel anti-Semitism, and affect the Israeli representation and the Jewish community in Colombia. In response, Israel took the initial step of suspending security exports to Colombia, including the supply of unassembled Galil rifles. Petro, resolute in his stance, has emphasized his readiness to sever foreign relations with Israel, underlining his staunch opposition to any form of genocide.    

Uncovering the Full Scale of Tragedy in Palestine: Ongoing Israeli Aggression

In Gaza, the number of martyrs exceeded 2,215, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. This includes 724 children and 458 women, with over 8,714 reported injuries, including 2,450 children and 1,536 women. An alarming 420,000 people have been displaced, according to UNICEF, threatening around 1.1 million residents in Gaza City and northern Gaza with forced evacuation. Salama Marouf, Head of the Government Media Office, reported that the healthcare system has been severely affected as 15 medical personnel have been martyred, and 27 others injured. Multiple healthcare facilities, including 23 ambulances, 15 hospitals, and various medical centres, have been targeted and damaged, rendering many inoperative. Marouf also noted that journalists have also been casualties, with 10 journalists martyred, 20 injured, and 30 reported missing.

The destruction extends to communication infrastructure, as the central communications company building was bombed, disrupting phone networks and cellular towers, and leading to a near-total internet shutdown.  Marouf also expressed concerns about the withdrawal of some field hospitals in Gaza, highlighting their importance during these critical times. He raised concerns about UNRWA’s withdrawal from southern Gaza and its failure to provide services to displaced individuals, particularly refugees. The situation remains dire, with a growing humanitarian catastrophe in the making.

In the West Bank, Marouf reported that 53 people have been martyred, and over 1,100 injured in the ongoing confrontations with occupation forces. The situation is marked by daily demonstrations and confrontations in various cities and refugee camps. According to the Palestinian Prisoners Club, 400 Palestinians in the West Bank were detained in the past week, with 40 detentions occurring on Saturday alone. Among those detained, Al Jazeera reports that some are Hamas leaders. A debate is underway among Israeli politicians regarding the possibility of cutting off electricity and water services to political prisoners. Human rights organizations argue that such measures would be regarded as collective punishment, deemed illegal and constituting a form of torture.

Amidst this, Israeli forces carried out a deliberate shelling attack on journalists in Alma al-Shaab, located in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border. This incident resulted in the murder of one journalist, Issam Abdallah, who worked as a videographer for Reuters and left six others injured. Mazen Ibrahim, the chief of the Al Jazeera Lebanon Bureau, was an eyewitness to the attack and stated, “I can confirm that journalists were intentionally targeted.” He emphasized that the journalists were positioned at a considerable distance from the ongoing confrontations, all of them wearing their safety gear and prominently displaying press identification on their clothing and vehicles.

Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades, in a series of statements on Saturday, declared their continued targeting of Israeli military sites and occupied cities with rockets and artillery. This escalation came in response to ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza’s civilian people. Around 5:00 PM, al-Qassam Brigades specifically targeted the “Ben Gurion” Airport. They also directed barrages of rockets towards groupings of occupation forces in the “Nirim” kibbutz. Subsequently, they declared the launch of rockets directed towards “Be’er Shava” in the eastern region of Gaza, along with targeting “Ashkalan,” “Sderot,” and “Tel Aviv” in the northern area of the Strip.

As a direct consequence of Israel’s indiscriminate airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, nine captives lost their lives, and among them, four individuals held dual citizenship. This number increased the total death toll to 22 out of the approximately 150 war prisoners, including Israelis, foreigners, and individuals with dual nationality, who were taken captive by Hamas fighters on October 7. This outcome is the result of a significant military and intelligence failure experienced by the Israeli occupation last Saturday. In response to this failure, the occupation forces have shifted their focus, making civilians, journalists, hospitals, and emergency services the primary targets in the Gaza Strip.

Earlier today, reports emerged of a protest staged by family members of Israelis held captive by the Palestinian Resistance during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. The protest took place outside the Israeli Security Ministry in “Tel Aviv,” where demonstrators blocked “Kaplan Street.” Expressing their frustration, protesters directed their anger at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, questioning the whereabouts of the army and his son, suggesting the latter might be in Miami, and highlighting the absence of leadership on the frontlines with their captured relatives.

Demonstrations Denounce Israeli Aggression and Support Palestine

In numerous countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen, and various Arab and Islamic nations, hundreds of thousands of people have come together in protests to voice their strong condemnation of Israeli occupation aggression in Gaza and demonstrate their unwavering solidarity with al-Aqsa.

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, hundreds of protestors gathered to show their solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza against the ongoing Israeli aggression. Meanwhile, in Jordan, on a day dubbed “Friday of Al-Aqsa Flood,” many cities witnessed a surge of protests where vast crowds marched toward the border with occupied Palestine, vehemently denouncing the ongoing atrocities in Gaza and the renewed efforts to displace the remaining residents. The Jordanian security forces exerted additional efforts to maintain control over the demonstrators, and video footage circulating online depicted protesters abandoning their vehicles due to traffic congestion and continuing on foot.

Similarly, Yemen saw significant gatherings that manifested their solidarity with Palestine and the Resistance’s fight against the occupation’s crimes. Organizers issued a statement reflecting the Yemeni people’s readiness to actively participate and their willingness to deploy hundreds of thousands of fighters in defence of Palestine.

Responding to the Resistance’s call, thousands of Iraqis convened in Tahrir Square to vehemently protest and condemn the occupation’s actions in Gaza. In a related context, the Russia Today (RT) channel shared a video clip showcasing Russian citizens expressing their solidarity with Palestine by adorning the entrance of the Palestinian embassy in Moscow with flowers and children’s toys. Furthermore, reports from Pakistan revealed that thousands engaged in protests in the capital city of Islamabad, standing in unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and supporting the Palestinian Resistance.

Amid widespread demonstrations in support of Gaza and in protest of Israeli aggression on the Strip, nine Palestinians lost their lives during confrontations with Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank. This recent tragic development has raised the total number of Palestinians martyred in the West Bank to 44 since last Saturday.

Regrettably, the Palestinian medical sources announced the martyrdom of a 14-year-old child named Amir Mlitat, who was fatally shot in the head by Israeli occupation forces near the Beit Furik military checkpoint east of Nablus. Furthermore, in the course of confrontations with Israeli occupation forces across the West Bank, three Palestinians lost their lives in Tulkarm, one in al-Khalil, and one in Beit Lahm. The martyrdom locations of the remaining Palestinians were not yet disclosed by the Health Ministry.

The Israeli occupation forces persist in carrying out massacres against Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip, including children under six years old, in a blatant violation of fundamental human values. As per the most recent data provided by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the Israeli aggression on Gaza has resulted in the martyrdom of 1,800 Palestinian people, with 583 of them being children and 351 women, and 6,612 individuals wounded, including 1,644 children.

On Friday, Israeli occupation warplanes persisted in launching airstrikes on residential neighbourhoods within the Gaza Strip, resulting in extensive damage and casualties. Simultaneously, rescue operations are actively ongoing to retrieve the bodies of numerous martyrs and provide assistance to those wounded as a result of this ongoing aggression. Social media platforms have been inundated with harrowing video clips and deeply distressing images depicting children who have become victims of this criminal occupation. Some of these children were rescued from the debris of their homes, which had been struck by barbaric Israeli airstrikes, while other heart-wrenching images revealed children resting in mortuary freezers. These photos underscore the scale of the atrocities committed by the Israeli occupation, with innocent lives tragically extinguished as they were targeted alongside their families by heavy missiles.

For the survivors, life is marked by severe hardships due to a total blockade and the looming threat of an Israeli ground invasion. The spokesperson of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, Ashraf al-Qidra, stated that the health sector in Gaza is in a state of collapse as medical supplies dwindle amid power outages. Al-Qidra emphasized that “medications are critically low, forcing patients and injured individuals in Gaza’s hospitals to lie on the floor due to a shortage of beds in the intensive care units, while lines of patients wait outside the operating rooms.”

Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, provided an update on the progress of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, assuring that the Resistance still possesses substantial resources for the upcoming hours and days.  He stated, “Our adversary, though displaying cowardice, lacks the strength to compel our people to relinquish their homeland.” Abu Obeida emphatically declared that the concept of forced displacement does not apply to them, except in the context of their occupied cities. He urged the Palestinian people to remain resolute and unwavering in the face of Zionist threats.

In a speech, Abu Ubaida pointed out that their involvement in this battle is inextricably linked to the sacred Masjid Al-Aqsa. This profound connection drives their determination. Consequently, Operation Al-Aqsa Flood was meticulously planned, incorporating a comprehensive analysis of the operational area, including factors like terrain and weather and their potential impact. The Al-Qassam leadership has been tirelessly dedicated to this mission, with a singular and unwavering objective in mind. Notably, from the morning onward, the Al-Qassam Brigades have launched a substantial number of rockets at ‘Ashkelon’ (150 rockets) and ‘Sderot’ (50 rockets). They also targeted Ben Gurion Airport, underscoring the persistent potency of the Resistance’s weaponry.

Gaza’s Ongoing Suffering: A Call for Help and Solidarity

In Gaza, Israel’s relentless assault continued into the sixth day on Thursday, October 12, as Israeli airstrikes relentlessly targeted the Gaza Strip, day and night. Palestinian sources have sadly documented over 150 Palestinian lives lost on Thursday alone.

As confirmed by the Ministry of Health in Gaza, 28 entire Palestinian families had been lost as martyrs due to the Israeli airstrikes that commenced on Saturday. Regrettably, this count is anticipated to increase, given that more families are being discovered under the rubble.

The ministry further conveyed that 10 brave Palestinian medics and healthcare workers have lost their lives, among them four medics who were tragically killed on Wednesday when an Israeli airstrike deliberately struck their ambulance. Alarmingly, there have been 14 recorded assaults on hospitals and healthcare facilities in Gaza. With Israel’s suffocating blockade on Gaza, the sole power plant in the Strip ran out of fuel, causing panic among health authorities.

Gaza’s Health Ministry urgently conveyed, “Our hospitals are operating at maximum capacity. There is no room to accommodate those injured by the Israeli airstrikes.” They continued by stating, “The comprehensive blockade imposed by Israeli occupation forces on electricity, water, and fuel poses a grave threat to the lives of the wounded and the ill, giving rise to a severe health and environmental crisis.”

Furthermore, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that 12 of its dedicated staff members lost their lives due to the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. In addition, the agency disclosed that nearly 175,500 internally displaced individuals have sought refuge in 88 UNRWA schools across the Gaza Strip, and this number keeps rising as the airstrikes persist.

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers bearing arms have been initiating assaults on Palestinian villages. Tragically, at least five Palestinians lost their lives between Wednesday and Thursday in the Nablus region due to these settler attacks. Simultaneously, Israeli forces conducted incursions into various parts of the West Bank, forcibly entering homes in the dead of night, resulting in the arrest of no less than 60 Palestinian individuals.

With the mounting death toll in Gaza reaching into the thousands, tangible steps toward de-escalation remain elusive. While there have been appeals for a ceasefire, prominent actors like the United States have persistently reaffirmed their backing for Israel. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s arrival in Israel on Thursday only reinforced this stance, as he promised additional U.S. military support to Israel in the form of weapon reinforcements.

On Thursday evening, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who leads the Fatah-led government in the West Bank and had largely maintained silence since the commencement of hostilities on Saturday, issued a statement denouncing the loss of civilian lives on “both sides.”

Around the moment President Abbas issued his statement, Saleh Al-Arouri, the Deputy Head of Hamas’s Political Bureau, made a live television appearance on Al Jazeera. During the interview, he revealed that Hamas had been taken aback when its fighters managed to seize control of Israeli military facilities encircling the Gaza Strip within the span of just three hours on Saturday.

“The military strategy of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigade was aimed at specifically targeting the Gaza Division of the Israeli occupying army and engaging solely with occupation soldiers. It was not within our plan to cause harm or casualties among civilians, and it was truly unexpected that the Gaza Division would surrender in under 3 hours, a swifter outcome than we had anticipated,” stated al-Arouri.

He further asserted that Hamas initiated its operation based on intelligence indicating that Israel had intentions to launch an offensive assault against Gaza following the conclusion of the Jewish holidays.

“The incursion into the Gaza Strip was a meticulously planned operation, and the directives from the Qassam leadership were to attack the Gaza Division of the occupying army, which bears responsibility for all the injustices committed against our people,” al-Arouri stated.

Israeli Airstrikes Persist for the Fifth Day, Escalating the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

For five consecutive days, Israeli airstrikes continue to strike factories, shops, residential buildings, and even a university. This relentless assault has tragically led to the loss of over 1,100 Palestinian lives, with more than 5,300 individuals sustaining injuries, as reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health. Amid this dire situation, healthcare facilities in the region are now perilously close to collapse.

Additionally, the situation deteriorates as Gaza’s sole power plant is forced to shut down, casting the Strip into complete darkness. Furthermore, access to the internet and cell service remains severely limited, following Israel’s strike on the central company providing internet connectivity to Gaza City.

Israel’s plan is to cut off the Gaza Strip from internet and electricity so that the world can’t see the destruction it is causing in Gaza. Israeli occupation forces committed Horrific massacres in Rafah, Karamah, and western and eastern Shuja’iyyah. They also used white phosphorus bombs in western Gaza, which is prohibited internationally.

Further, the severe shortage of essential resources, such as water and food, in the region has led to a dire situation for the people. The scarcity of these basic necessities has left homes and supermarkets empty, leaving the local population struggling to obtain water for their daily needs.

To seek refuge from Israeli barbaric airstrikes, many have turned to using schools, which were once considered relatively secure. However, a troubling consequence has emerged as these shelters are now being targeted during the recent Israeli attacks. This has significantly increased the danger faced by the civilians in the region. Meanwhile, these shelters lack essential provisions such as food, water, and milk for the children in their care.

The al-Karamah neighbourhood in Gaza City has witnessed relentless airstrikes late Tuesday night and into Wednesday, resulting in the near-total destruction of numerous buildings. Tragically, entire families have fallen victim to these bombings, and many are believed to be trapped beneath the debris, with a significant number being women and children.

Attempts by medical personnel to reach al-Karamah were delayed due to the ongoing attacks, and when they eventually arrived, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported that they had been “attacked by Israel,” resulting in injuries to two medics. This has raised concerns that medics are being intentionally targeted by Israeli forces, as indicated by a spokesperson from the health ministry.

Gaza City has undergone a devastating transformation with widespread destruction. Streets, tall buildings, universities, and telecommunications have all been targeted and severely damaged. The deliberate targeting of roads, including those leading to the central hospital, al-Shifa’, has created obstacles for ambulances, as missiles have left massive craters, hindering their mobility. Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, has announced the purchase of 10,000 rifles to arm civilian security teams, which includes residents of illegal West Bank settlements. This move involves the distribution of assault rifles, helmets, and bulletproof vests among Israeli settlers, raising concerns of exacerbating settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Simultaneously, Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem continue to protest against Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza and its prolonged occupation.

Since Saturday, Israeli forces have killed at least 19 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, with 12 more injured by Israeli gunfire in confrontations on Tuesday alone. In a disturbing incident north of Jenin at the al-Jamaleh checkpoint, Israeli soldiers reportedly killed a Palestinian man and left three others injured without providing medical assistance.

At Huwwara checkpoint, south of Nablus, Israeli forces opened fire on a Palestinian taxi, injuring three men. Another grim incident took place in Silwan, where Israeli police shot and killed two Palestinians who had set off fireworks and thrown stones. Additionally, in Jericho, at least three individuals sustained injuries due to live fire from the Israeli occupation forces.

International forces intervene

In a national address, U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated his unwavering support for Israel without mentioning the current situation in Gaza. He emphasized the United States’ commitment to Israel’s defence, including the annual $3 billion in military aid. He also mentioned that the U.S. has deployed military assets closer to Israel and provided lethal weaponry.

Israel’s occupation forces received its initial shipment of U.S. ammunition, and the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean, as reported by U.S. Central Command.

Turkey strongly criticized these actions, questioning the purpose of the U.S. aircraft carrier in Israel and expressing concerns about potential consequences, including severe casualties due to actions in Gaza. Erdogan also condemned Israel’s blockade of Gaza as an international human rights violation.

Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the leader of Yemen’s Houthi movement, warned of military responses, including missile and drone attacks, if the U.S. directly intervenes in Gaza.

In response to Biden’s address, Hamas pointed out the absence of acknowledgement of Israeli occupation forces’ deadly actions against Palestinians, describing Israel’s policies as “collective punishment” for the people in the Gaza Strip.

They called on the U.S. administration to reconsider its position and address the perceived double standard in favour of Israel. Hamas argued that these developments were a natural consequence of Israel’s repeated violations of Palestinian rights and criticized the international community’s silence and inability to fulfill obligations outlined in recognized resolutions.

The latest developments of the Israeli ongoing aggression on the Palestinian people

International and Arab Support for Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Hundreds of Irish pro-Palestine activists protested at the Israeli embassy in Dublin, condemning the Gaza Strip bombings by Israeli Occupation Forces. They supported Palestinian rights to self-defence and praised the Palestinian Resistance. Irish Representative Richard Boyd Barrett criticized the double standards of the United States, European Union, and Ireland in supporting Ukraine but not fully supporting Palestinians’ right to resist occupation.
• The leader of Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement, Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, expressed strong support for Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, emphasizing it as a legitimate Palestinian decision that surprised both allies and enemies. Al-Houthi declared the readiness of the Yemeni people to mobilize in large numbers to stand with the Palestinians, even willing to participate in missile and drone strikes if the situation escalates with direct American military intervention. He criticized the absence of support from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League and condemned the positions of some Arab countries that have normalized relations with Israel.
• Iranian leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei declared that Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7th marked an irreversible military and intelligence defeat for the Israeli occupation. He emphasized that this event had significantly damaged the structures of the usurping regime’s governance. Khamenei credited the Palestinians for this operation, asserting that it was a significant step toward liberating Palestine, and he warned against underestimating the Palestinian people. He also stated that the operation was a response to years of Israeli occupation crimes and that portraying the oppressor as the oppressed is unjustifiable.
• North Korea’s state media, Rodong Sinmun, has accused the Israeli occupation of causing the brutal violence in Gaza. They cited foreign media reports and highlighted that the international community believes the conflict is a result of Israel’s ongoing criminal actions against the Palestinian people, emphasizing the need for an independent Palestinian state as a solution.