On the 407th day of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, a number of Palestinians were killed and a number of Palestinians were injured in an Israeli bombing that targeted several places in the Gaza Strip, while The Ministry of Health announced today, Saturday, that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli bombing has risen to 43,799 deaths and 103,601 injuries since October 7, 2023.
In the northern Gaza Strip, 3 people were killed and others were injured in a bombing in the vicinity of the Musab bin Omair Mosque in Beit Lahia. A number of civilians were also injured after explosive bombs were dropped by Israeli Quadcopter aircraft in Jabalia al-Nazla.
The Israeli army continues to blow up residential buildings west of the northern Jabalia camp and around the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, in conjunction with continuous artillery shelling.
In the center of the Gaza Strip, Israeli gunboats renewed their bombardment north of the Nuseirat camp, while military vehicles fired intensely, coinciding with artillery shelling north and east of the Bureij camp.
In the south of the Gaza Strip, five citizens were killed, and others sustained various injuries, this morning as Israeli warplanes and drones bombed the city of Rafah.
For its part, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said in its daily statistical report that “Israeli forces committed 3 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, bringing 35 deaths to hospitals and 111 injuries during the past 24 hours.”
Earlier, the United Nations announced that women and children constitute nearly 70 percent of those killed in the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip between November 2023 and April 2024.
Civil Defense in Gaza: There is not a single house in the Strip that has the most basic necessities of life
In a related context, the spokesman for the Palestinian Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip, Mahmoud Basal, warned of the bitter reality that the residents of the Strip are suffering from, the deteriorating conditions of health and food security, and the lack of the most basic necessities of life.
Basal said that the Gaza Strip has been subjected to a real war of extermination for more than 400 days. Pointing out that signs of dehydration began to appear on children due to the lack of access to the required food and nutrition.
The spokesman confirmed that Gaza City is subjected to a deliberate starvation policy, noting that “the occupation prevents it from receiving vegetables, fruits, and cooking gas.”
He warned that the reality is becoming more difficult in the Gaza Strip, and it can be said that there is no home in the Strip that meets the minimum requirements of life.
Mahmoud Basal also pointed out that “thousands of martyrs could have been saved from death, if we had had the necessary rescue and relief equipment.”
A special United Nations committee stated on Thursday that Israel’s practices during the war on Gaza “are consistent with the characteristics of genocide.”
The report of the Special Committee concerned with investigating Israeli practices that affect the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arab citizens in the occupied territories, which covers the period from October 7 of last year until July 2024, indicated “large numbers of civilian casualties and the creation of conditions that threaten the lives of Palestinians.” intentionally”.
The committee, which has been investigating Israeli practices affecting rights in the occupied Palestinian territories for decades, reported that Israel “used starvation as a tool of war and imposed collective punishment on the Palestinians.”
According to the United Nations, 1.9 million people out of a population of 2.4 million have been displaced since October 2024.
Last updated: November 16, 2024 – 14:25
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What are the most urgent needs of residents in Gaza during the ongoing humanitarian crisis?
Time.news Interview with Mahmoud Basal, Spokesman for the Palestinian Civil Defense in Gaza
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Basal. The situation in Gaza is critical, with a staggering death toll reported following nearly 407 days of ongoing conflict. Can you describe the current state of daily life for Gaza’s residents amid this humanitarian crisis?
Basal: Thank you for having me. The reality in Gaza is dire; there is not a single house that meets the most basic necessities of life. Families are struggling to survive without sufficient food, clean water, and medical supplies. The bombardments only exacerbate these issues, as homes are destroyed and critical infrastructure is severely damaged.
Editor: The recent report indicates that over 43,000 people have died and more than 100,000 have been injured since the onset of the conflict. Your organization has reported multiple massacres and high percentages of women and children among those casualties. How has the psychological trauma affected the population, particularly children?
Basal: The psychological toll is immense. Many children are showing signs of trauma—anxiety, depression, and even physical symptoms like dehydration due to poor nutrition. With entire families killed or injured, and many witnessing these events firsthand, the future of this generation is bleak. The lack of access to psychological support only worsens the situation.
Editor: You mentioned a deliberate starvation policy. Could you elaborate on how this impacts the health and nutrition of residents?
Basal: Absolutely. The Israeli forces have restricted access to essential goods, including food supplies such as fruits and vegetables, which are vital for a balanced diet. As a result, malnutrition is becoming increasingly common, particularly among children, who require proper nutrition for their growth and development. It is a heartbreaking reality, exacerbated by the constant bombardment that disrupts any efforts for relief.
Editor: What are the main challenges faced by Civil Defense in providing aid and support to those in need?
Basal: Our greatest challenges are ongoing military action and the blockade. We struggle to deliver aid even under the most difficult conditions. Our resources are severely limited, and our personnel are often at risk. Furthermore, the lack of infrastructure makes transportation and provision of services extremely challenging. We are doing our utmost to meet the needs of the population, but the situation is grim.
Editor: International organizations have been voicing concerns over these conditions, yet the situation seems to be unresolved. What can the international community do to help alleviate the suffering in Gaza?
Basal: The international community must take a stronger stance. We need immediate humanitarian aid: food, medical supplies, and access to clean water. Additionally, pressure should be applied for a ceasefire so that we can address these humanitarian needs without the threat of ongoing violence. The people of Gaza are enduring unimaginable hardships, and urgent action is required to prevent further loss of life.
Editor: It’s clear the situation demands immediate attention. Thank you for sharing your insights, Mr. Basal. We hope for a resolution to this crisis and healing for the people of Gaza.
Basal: Thank you for highlighting our plight. Awareness is crucial, and we appreciate your efforts to bring this humanitarian crisis to the forefront.