CAIRO (AP) — Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City overnight resulted in the deaths of at least 34 individuals, including children, according to health officials. The continued military offensive in the impoverished city follows a late-night strike on Saturday, which hit a residential block in the southern part of the city, killing 14 people. Among the deceased were a nurse from Shifa Hospital, his wife, and their three children.
The recent Israeli military operation, which commenced earlier this week, has escalated the ongoing conflict in the region, raising concerns about the potential for a prolonged war and making a ceasefire increasingly unattainable. The Israeli military has stated that its objective is to "destroy Hamas’ military infrastructure" and urged Palestinians to evacuate. However, no timeline for the offensive has been provided, and indications suggest it may extend over several months.
In the backdrop of this violence, several Western countries are preparing to acknowledge Palestinian statehood during the upcoming gathering of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly on Monday. Nations such as the U.K., France, Canada, Australia, Malta, Belgium, and Luxembourg have indicated their support for Palestinian recognition. Portugal’s Foreign Affairs Ministry announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state on Sunday, highlighting a significant diplomatic shift.
As peace activists in Israel rally for the recognition of a Palestinian state, a coalition known as It's Time Coalition, comprising over 60 Jewish and Arab organizations, has called for an end to the conflict. They advocate for the release of hostages held by Hamas and emphasize the urgent need for a ceasefire, asserting that the UN decision could present a historic opportunity for peace. "We refuse to live forever by the sword," they stated in a video message, calling for a future of security and freedom for both peoples.
However, a ceasefire remains elusive amid ongoing Israeli bombardments. Over the past 23 months, airstrikes in Gaza have claimed the lives of more than 65,000 individuals, devastated large areas of the region, and displaced approximately 90% of the population. The situation has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with reports indicating that Gaza City is facing famine conditions.
The Israeli military did not issue a response to the strikes that occurred overnight Saturday. In a statement on Sunday, they claimed to have killed Majed Abu Selmiya, identified as a Hamas sniper who was allegedly planning further attacks in the Gaza City area. This claim was contested by Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, the director of Shifa Hospital and Majed’s brother, who described the allegations as a fabrication aimed at justifying civilian casualties.
As the attacks persist, the Israeli government has ordered hundreds of thousands of Palestinians seeking shelter within Gaza City to relocate south to designated “humanitarian zones.” They have also opened an additional evacuation corridor for two days to facilitate this movement. Thousands of Palestinians attempted to flee Gaza City by various means, but many were reluctant to be uprooted once more, while others were too weak or unable to afford the transportation costs.
Along the coastal route of Wadi Gaza, individuals who found themselves exhausted from the journey paused to rest and provide their children with brief reprieves. Aid organizations have warned that forcing such mass evacuations may worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis, and they are urging for a ceasefire to allow aid to reach those in need.
Families of hostages still being held by Hamas have echoed these calls for a ceasefire, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of endangering the lives of their loved ones by prioritizing military action over negotiations. As protests continue to emerge both in Israel and internationally, the call for peace and reconciliation remains stronger than ever in the face of overwhelming suffering.
