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Israeli military operations in Gaza have reportedly resulted in over 90 fatalities within a 48-hour span, according to the Gaza Health Ministry’s statement released on Saturday. These escalated assaults are aimed at compelling Hamas to release hostages and surrender its weaponry.
The casualties include 15 individuals killed overnight, among them women and children, some of whom were situated in an area designated as a humanitarian zone, as reported by local hospital staff.
In the southern city of Khan Younis, at least 11 individuals lost their lives, several of whom were killed while taking refuge in a tent located in the Mwasi area, home to hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons. Despite being marked as a humanitarian sanctuary, this location saw tragic losses.
Additionally, separate strikes in the city of Rafah led to the deaths of four individuals, including a mother and her daughter, according to sources at the European Hospital, where the remains were taken.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the media on Saturday, asserting that Hamas had declined a recent proposal that could have facilitated the safe release of many hostages. “Let me be unequivocal: we will not conclude hostilities until Hamas is eradicated from Gaza, until all of our hostages are returned, and until we can ensure that the Gaza Strip no longer represents a danger to Israel,” he stated.
Amidst the chaotic backdrop of conflict, emotional scenes unfolded at a funeral in Khan Younis, where grieving families mourned their lost loved ones. “Omar is gone … I wish it was me,” one bereaved brother lamented aloud, reflecting the profound sorrow enveloping these communities.
As fighting continues, Israel has pledged to intensify its strikes across Gaza, planning to establish expansive “security zones” within the territory. The region has been under an extensive blockade for six weeks, severely hindering the flow of essential supplies including food and medical resources.
Recent warnings from humanitarian organizations highlight a growing crisis: the number of malnourished children is increasing, and many families are struggling to secure even a single meal each day due to dwindling resources, according to United Nations reports.
On Friday, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, representing the World Health Organization in the eastern Mediterranean, urged U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee to advocate for the lifting of the blockade on Gaza to facilitate the entry of vital medical aid. “I wish for him to witness the dire conditions firsthand,” she remarked.
During his inaugural public engagement as ambassador, Huckabee visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the holiest Jewish site, where he placed a handwritten prayer from U.S. President Donald Trump into the wall. He noted that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.
This ongoing conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas began an assault on southern Israel, claiming approximately 1,200 lives, primarily among civilians, while taking 251 hostages. Since then, many hostages have been successfully released through negotiations during ceasefire arrangements.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli military actions have resulted in the deaths of over 51,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, with the Ministry’s reports not making a distinction between civilian and combatant casualties. The destruction of significant portions of Gaza has compounded the humanitarian crisis, with approximately 90% of the population displaced and living in makeshift tent camps or abandoned buildings.
Crisis in the Middle East
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