The Israel-Palestine conflict has witnessed a devastating escalation in violence, with at least 30 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza since dawn, according to medical sources cited by Ireport 247news. The besieged enclave’s health system is on the brink of collapse, overwhelmed by the daily influx of wounded patients, forcing hdoctors to make difficult decisions about who to treat first.
In the latest attacks, three people died in an Israeli strike on the Tuffah neighborhood of eastern Gaza City, while five people were killed in an Israeli air attack in Jabalia an-Nazla, in northern Gaza. Earlier, an Israeli attack hit tents sheltering displaced Palestinians in al-Mawasi, southern Gaza, previously designated a “safe zone,” igniting a major fire and killing at least five people, including infants. Hani Mahmoud reported that the injured, including children, were transferred to Nasser Hospital, with some showing wounds compatible with drone attacks.
“The drone missiles are packed with nails, metals, and shrapnel that explode at high speed, causing internal bleeding,” Mahmoud said, adding that these attacks are on the rise and target people in large crowds, in markets, or while queueing for water. “While Israel claims to be using sophisticated weapons, when we look on the ground, we see the number of casualties contradicting what Israel is saying.”
Israel’s ongoing blockade of Gaza has forced doctors in crammed medical facilities to make difficult decisions about who to treat. Patients with chronic illnesses, such as dialysis patients, are often the first to miss out due to overwhelmed emergency departments. Omda Dagmash, a dialysis patient, described the dire situation at al- Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, stating, “Before the war, I used to receive dialysis three times a week… Now we can barely make the journey to the hospital, particularly since we are not eating well.”
Rowaida Minyawi, an elderly patient, echoed similar concerns, saying, “The journey here is long and costly… After all this exhaustion, we sometimes can’t find treatment. I have heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Even the medicine we get is not good. What should we do? Die at home?”
A recent public opinion survey conducted by the Israeli news outlet Maariv found that about 44% of the Israeli public believes the continued war in Gaza will not achieve the country’s goals. In contrast, 42% of respondents think the fighting will lead to achieving the goals, while 11% are undecided. Notably, 73% of supporters of the current coalition government think the military will achieve its goals, while 70% of opposition supporters think otherwise.
The international community has also expressed concerns over the escalating violence. United States President Donald Trump contacted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the Israeli bombing of Gaza’s only Catholic church, which killed three people and wounded at least 10. Netanyahu attributed the strike to “stray ammunition” and added that Israel was investigating the incident.
The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. However, the ceasefire talks have stalled amid escalating conflict. The US has stopped arms supply to Israel over growing concerns about the Rafah assault. The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to stop genocidal acts in Gaza, but it did not impose a ceasefire.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has sparked widespread protests and condemnation globally. The conflict has also raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict, with countries like Turkey and Iran backing the Palestinian cause.
In conclusion, the escalating violence in Gaza has led to a dire humanitarian crisis, with widespread destruction, loss of life, and a collapsing health system. The international community must work towards a sustainable solution to the conflict, prioritizing the protection of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.