In a harrowing turn of events, Gaza finds itself under a relentless barrage of Israeli airstrikes. The situation has escalated to the point where Palestinians in the southern region are advised to seek refuge. Meanwhile, Israel’s defense minister has sent a clear message to ground troops: “Be ready” for a possible ground invasion, though the exact timing remains uncertain.
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Amidst the chaos, Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure is on the brink of collapse. Hospitals are grappling with dwindling medical supplies and the scarcity of fuel to power generators. To make matters worse, authorities are navigating the logistics of delivering crucial humanitarian aid from Egypt. The scenes within Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals are dire, with doctors working in darkened wards, using the feeble light of mobile phones to stitch wounds. Some are resorting to unconventional treatments, like vinegar, to address infected wounds.
This escalation can be traced back to a devastating Hamas incursion into southern Israel nearly two weeks ago, prompting a vigorous Israeli response. Even after urging Palestinians to evacuate the northern parts of Gaza and move south, Israeli airstrikes have spared no corner of the territory, heightening the fears of its 2.3 million residents, who feel that nowhere is truly safe.
Tensions have spilled over the borders, with Palestinian militants firing rockets into Israel from both Gaza and Lebanon. Unrest has also flared up in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In a fiery address to Israeli infantry soldiers stationed along the Gaza border, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized the need for readiness, stating, “Whoever sees Gaza from afar now will see it from the inside… I promise you. It might take a week, a month, two months until we destroy them,” referring to Hamas.
Amidst this turbulent backdrop, a glimmer of hope emerges as Israel gives its consent for Egypt to allow food, water, and medicine into Gaza. This marks the first potential breach in Israel’s blockade of the territory. Many of Gaza’s residents are now surviving on just one meal per day, with access to clean water becoming a luxury. While fuel wasn’t initially included in the list of permitted items, a senior Egyptian security official revealed negotiations were underway to facilitate the entry of fuel for hospitals. The first aid shipments are anticipated to reach Gaza on Friday, according to Egypt’s state-owned Al-Qahera news.
Yet, the situation remains precarious. The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, the only connection to the outside world, remains closed, exacerbating the dire conditions. Dr. Mohammed Qandeel of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest hospital, disclosed that power had been rationed, with most departments going dark to conserve energy for critical functions. Hospital staff resorted to using mobile phones for illumination.
Tragedy struck as at least 80 wounded civilians and 12 fatalities poured into the hospital following a strike on a residential building in Khan Younis. With no available ventilators, doctors were forced to make the heart-wrenching decision to let two incoming patients succumb to their injuries.
Dr. Qandeel lamented, “We can’t save more lives if this keeps happening; more children and women will die.” In response to this crisis, the Gaza Health Ministry made an urgent plea to gas stations to allocate their remaining fuel supplies to hospitals. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees stepped in by providing some of its last fuel reserves to hospitals, offering a temporary lifeline.
The situation in Gaza is undeniably dire, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting a devastating toll. Since the war’s commencement, 3,785 people in Gaza have lost their lives, predominantly women, children, and older adults. Furthermore, nearly 12,500 individuals have been injured, while an additional 1,300 are believed to be buried beneath the rubble, according to health authorities.
On the other side of the conflict, more than 1,400 people in Israel have lost their lives, with the majority being civilians who fell victim to Hamas’ incursion on October 7th. Approximately 200 individuals have been abducted. Notably, the Israeli military disclosed on Thursday that they had informed the families of 203 captives.
In response to the intensifying conflict, over a million Palestinians, roughly half of Gaza’s population, have evacuated their homes in Gaza City and other northern regions of the territory, adhering to Israel’s evacuation orders. Most have sought refuge in U.N.-managed schools-turned-shelters or the homes of relatives.
While the agreement to deliver aid through the Rafah border crossing represents a glimmer of hope, it remains fragile. Israel has stipulated that the supplies must exclusively reach civilians in southern Gaza, and they have vowed to thwart any attempts by Hamas to divert the aid. U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a warning that aid deliveries will cease if Hamas interferes with the humanitarian efforts.
More than 200 trucks loaded with approximately 3,000 tons of aid are stationed near the Rafah crossing, under the coordination of Khalid Zayed, the head of the Red Crescent for North Sinai. In an arrangement brokered between the United Nations, Israel, and Egypt, U.N. observers will inspect the aid-carrying trucks before they enter Gaza. This collaborative effort, involving the U.N., Egyptian authorities, and the Palestinian Red Crescent, is designed to ensure that aid reaches civilians in need. To signal the protection of the aid convoys against potential airstrikes, U.N. flags will be raised on both sides of the crossing.
However, it remains uncertain how much cargo the crossing can handle. Waleed Abu Omar, the spokesman for the Palestinian side, revealed that work to repair the road between the two gates, damaged by Israeli strikes, has not yet commenced.
Amidst these developments, there are concerns about the fate of foreigners and dual nationals seeking to exit Gaza. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stated, “As long as the crossing is operating normally and the (crossing) facility has been repaired,” foreigners and dual nationals will be allowed to depart.
It’s worth noting that Israel had previously maintained that no supplies would enter Gaza until Hamas released hostages taken from Israel, leading to a furious response from the relatives of the captives.
The situation in Gaza remains highly volatile, and the prospects for a lasting ceasefire and relief for its beleaguered population hang in the balance. The delivery of humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing is a critical step, but the road ahead is filled with challenges and uncertainties. The world watches with bated breath as the conflict in the region continues to unfold.