In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, civilians in the besieged enclave are grappling with deteriorating conditions and mounting casualties. Here’s a summary of the situation:
Contents
Evacuation Orders and Safety Concerns
- Israel’s Evacuation Orders: Israel has issued evacuation orders to Gazans, urging them to move south. Hundreds of thousands have already left the enclave, home to over 2 million people. However, inside Gaza, civilians feel unsafe everywhere.
- Hamas’ Response: The militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, has advised residents to ignore Israel’s evacuation message. For many, leaving their homes is not a viable option due to the risks posed by ongoing airstrikes.
Challenges in Gaza
- Storage of Bodies: Palestinian health workers are storing bodies in ice cream freezer trucks because transporting them to hospitals is too dangerous. Cemeteries are already full.
- Shortages and Overwhelmed Hospitals: Hospitals in Gaza are running short of supplies and struggling to cope with the influx of wounded. Among the victims is 4-year-old Fulla Al-Laham, who lost 14 family members in an Israeli air strike.
International Concerns and Spillover Risks
- U.S. Diplomatic Efforts: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is touring Middle East states to prevent further escalation and secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas.
- Arab Leaders’ Stance: Arab leaders emphasize the need to protect Gaza civilians. Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi criticizes Israel’s retaliatory strikes as going beyond self-defense and turning into collective punishment.
- Border Clashes with Lebanon: Renewed clashes on Israel’s border with Lebanon highlight the risks of regional spillover. Hamas’ armed wing fired rockets from Lebanon at Israeli settlements, while Hezbollah militia launched missiles at Israeli barracks.
Humanitarian Crisis Unfolding
- Casualties: Authorities in Gaza report at least 2,670 people killed by Israel’s retaliatory strikes, including a quarter of children. Nearly 10,000 others are wounded.
- Desperate Situations: Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya from Kamal Edwan hospital describes the impossibility of evacuating children attached to ventilators. The World Health Organization condemns Israel’s evacuation orders for 22 Gaza hospitals as a “death sentence for the sick and injured”.