Israeli Forces Intensify Bombardment in Gaza, Death Toll Rises
In a fresh wave of violence, Israeli forces have escalated their military operations in the Gaza Strip. The recent strikes have added to the growing death toll, with at least 78 Palestinians, including 20 aid seekers and 42 residents of Gaza City, killed since dawn on Tuesday, as reported by Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye. Among the casualties are seven children who were killed in an Israeli strike in al-Mawasi, a so-called 'safe zone' where residents were urged to seek refuge.
Mounting Crisis in Gaza
Israel's intensified military buildup precedes a planned offensive to capture Gaza City. Despite facing mounting international pressure, Israeli forces continue to intensify bombardments in the region. Israeli warplanes targeted a residential building in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 Palestinians. Further strikes on a building in Tal al-Hawa and a house in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood killed an additional 19 Palestinians.
The conflict has also seen an alarming rise in the number of casualties from starvation. Gaza's health ministry reported that 13 people, including three children, died from famine and malnutrition.
Designated Safe Zones Under Threat
In a tragic event, five children were among nine people killed while fetching water in al-Mawasi, an area that was designated a safe zone by Israel. The Israeli military had previously urged residents of Gaza City to seek refuge in al-Mawasi ahead of their planned offensive.
The Guardian and Al-Quds News reported that at least nine people, including five children, were killed in an Israeli strike while fetching water in this area of southern Gaza. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of these designated zones.
Increasing Global Concern
Since October 2023, more than 63,633 Palestinians have been killed, and 160,914 others wounded during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. These numbers are believed to be significantly higher, according to The Lancet, a respected medical journal. The UN-backed global hunger monitor, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), officially declared a famine in Gaza last month.
In a statement to Al Jazeera, Unicef spokesperson Tess Ingram said a Palestinian child is killed or wounded every 10 minutes and described Gaza as the most dangerous place in the world for children.
Current Status
Despite the escalating crisis, Israeli forces continue to prepare for a full-scale offensive to capture Gaza City. The conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, many of whom sought refuge in areas Israel declared as safe zones.
As the death toll continues to rise, the international community is increasingly calling for an immediate ceasefire and measures to end the humanitarian crisis.