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There is no respite in the Israeli air strikes on Gaza, according to Gemma Connell, a representative of the UN humanitarian agency Ocha, who visited a hospital grappling with the surge in casualties. Connell, who toured Al-Aqsa hospital in central Gaza on Monday, described the scene as “absolute carnage.” The hospital, overwhelmed with patients, struggled to treat many severely injured individuals.
The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare that the fight against Hamas was far from over. His statement contradicted recent advice from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who urged Israel to lessen the intensity of its strikes.
In a concerning development, the Pentagon confirmed that US armed forces carried out air strikes in Iraq targeting “Iranian-sponsored militias” in response to an attack on the Irbil air base that injured three US military personnel. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the strikes aimed at facilities used by the Iranian-backed Kataeb Hezbollah group and its affiliates. The increased activities of such militias follow Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Tom White, director of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA, revealed that an estimated 150,000 people in central Gaza had received evacuation orders from the Israeli military.
Connell, speaking about her visit to Al-Aqsa Hospital, emphasized the dire situation: “What I saw at the Al-Aqsa Hospital was absolute carnage.” Severe casualties struggled to receive treatment due to the overwhelming number of patients. She witnessed new air strikes hitting areas around the hospital, leading to fresh casualties.
The recent Israeli strike on the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry, claimed at least 70 lives. The IDF acknowledged receiving reports of the incident but emphasized their commitment to minimizing harm to civilians, despite the challenges posed by Hamas terrorists operating in civilian areas.
As the conflict continues, calls for a ceasefire persist. Egypt has reportedly proposed a plan involving the phased release of Israeli hostages and an undetermined number of Palestinian prisoners, culminating in the suspension of Israel’s offensive. However, both Israel and Hamas have resisted these calls for de-escalation. The toll on civilians, particularly children and women, remains devastating, with the conflict claiming over 20,000 Palestinian lives since it began on October 7, 2023.
Kiki Garba
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