The Israeli army announced today, Sunday, that “one of its soldiers was killed as a result of a hand grenade explosion in the northern Gaza Strip.” The Times of Israel reported that “the soldier is named Shnaur Zalman Cohen, 20 years old, from the Yitzhar settlement in the West Bank.”
Since October 7, 2023, about 1,200 Israelis have been killed, in addition to about 250 others captured.
Gaza: Continued Israeli targeting and deteriorating health situation in the northern Gaza Strip
The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Hossam Abu Safiya, said, “The Israeli forces targeted residential squares in the vicinity of the hospital on Sunday night, which caused fear and terror for the patients who were being escorted.”
Abu Safiya added: “Throughout last night there were bombings and bombing of residential squares in the vicinity of Kamal Adwan Hospital and the Al-Yemen Al-Saeed area. These explosions caused great damage, to the point that Kamal Adwan Hospital itself was damaged and almost all the doors and most of the windows were shattered.”
He pointed out that “the explosions sparked a feeling of terror and fear among patients at Kamal Adwan Hospital, and unfortunately the situation is still continuing.”
He pointed out that “the health sector in Gaza did not receive any medical delegations, and when the matter was followed up, it became clear that the Israeli army refused to allow any specialized medical staff to enter northern Gaza, nor did it allow any ambulance to enter northern Gaza. This indicates a deliberate escalation regarding “The humanitarian situation is still dangerous.”
He continued: “We currently have 120 wounded in the hospital, most of whom need urgent surgical operations, but unfortunately we cannot provide any assistance to them. We urgently need to increase pressure on the international community to help the health system perform its duties in accordance with applicable humanitarian laws.”
For his part, Gaza Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal said, “More than 100,000 Palestinians are currently in the besieged northern Strip, 60% of whom are children and women.”
He pointed out, “The Civil Defense receives many appeals from the northern Gaza Strip to rescue them and retrieve the wounded and dead from under the rubble, stressing that the medical teams currently present in the northern Gaza Strip are civilian teams and Israel does not want any medical system to work there.”
He pointed out that “a large number of appeals received by the Civil Defense indicate that there is no food or medicine in the northern Gaza Strip, and no international organization has responded to the distress calls so far. According to him, the areas in the northern Gaza Strip recorded more than 1,300 deaths, according to a preliminary toll, in less than less than month”.
A new death toll from the war in Gaza
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that “Israeli forces committed 4 massacres against Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip, including 27 deaths and 86 injuries during the past 24 hours.”
The Ministry indicated that “the death toll from the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip has risen to 43,341 deaths and 102,105 injuries, since October 7, 2023.”
The Ministry indicated that “Civil Defense crews are still unable to reach the bodies of hundreds of dead people stuck under the rubble, and ambulance and Civil Defense crews are unable to reach them.”
The Ministry called on “the families of those killed and missing in war to complete their data by registering to complete all data through the records of the Ministry of Health.”
The Ministry noted that “more than 300 prisoners of health personnel have been arrested in Israeli prisons since the beginning of the war.”
Israeli forces storm a camp in Hebron
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club announced, “Since yesterday evening, Saturday, until Sunday morning, at least 16 Palestinians have been arrested by Israeli forces in the West Bank, including a child and former prisoners. The arrests were distributed in the governorates of Ramallah, Nablus, Tubas, Salfit, and Hebron.”
Al-Adi pointed out, “Yesterday, Saturday, Israeli forces stormed Al-Fawwar camp in the city of Hebron and conducted field investigations targeting dozens of Palestinians who were later released, accompanied by the destruction and sabotage of citizens’ homes, noting that Al-Fawwar camp has witnessed widespread raids recently.”
He pointed out that “the number of arrests since the start of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023 has reached more than 11,000, and 500 citizens from the West Bank and Jerusalem.”
The statement stressed, “The Israeli forces continue to carry out arrest campaigns in the West Bank, accompanied by systematic abuse and torture against detainees and their families, in an unprecedented manner, and the sick, wounded, and elderly were not excluded during the arrest campaigns.”
Last updated: November 3, 2024 – 15:58
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Interview Between Time.news Editor and Dr. Sara El-Amin, Conflict Resolution Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, Dr. El-Amin. Thank you for joining us today amidst such a critical time in the region. The recent events in Gaza and Israel have been devastating. Can you start by giving us an overview of the situation from your perspective?
Dr. Sara El-Amin (SE): Thank you for having me. The situation is dire. The ongoing violence has escalated significantly since October 7, 2023, leading to immense loss of life on both sides. The reports indicate over 1,200 Israelis have died, while the Palestinian Ministry of Health claims the death toll in Gaza has risen to a staggering 43,341. This is a humanitarian crisis that deepens every hour, as evidence shows significant civilian casualties and damage to healthcare infrastructure.
TNE: It’s heartbreaking. The impacts on civilians seem to be particularly severe, especially in Gaza where hospitals are under attack. What can you tell us about the healthcare situation on the ground?
SE: As of now, health facilities like Kamal Adwan Hospital are struggling immensely. The director reported that recent Israeli bombings have made it nearly impossible to care for the wounded. They have 120 patients needing urgent surgeries but lack the resources and safety to operate. Additionally, the refusal of the Israeli army to allow specialized medical personnel or ambulances to enter northern Gaza indicates a serious disregard for humanitarian laws and the wellbeing of civilians.
TNE: It’s chilling to hear about the hospital environments being targeted. In your opinion, what does this tell us about the approach being taken by both sides?
SE: It reveals a tragic pattern of prioritizing military objectives over humanitarian needs. The attacks on civilian infrastructure and healthcare facilities are tantamount to violations of international law. When such tactics are employed, it exacerbates the humanitarian crisis and fosters deeper cycles of violence and retaliation. The international community’s silence has been alarming, as there are calls for help that have gone unanswered.
TNE: Speaking of the international community, what role do you think it could play in alleviating the situation? Is there a path forward?
SE: The international community must step up its efforts to mediate and exert pressure for ceasefires and humanitarian access. Humanitarian aid corridors need to be established, allowing medical personnel and supplies into Gaza, while ensuring the safety of those providing care. Additionally, gerating dialogue between the conflicting parties, possibly through third-party mediators, might offer a framework for a long-term resolution. There’s an urgent need for action before conditions worsen.
TNE: With reports of mass casualties, it seems a complex issue of governance and international law is at play. What can be done to address these intricacies?
SE: Addressing such complexities requires a multi-faceted approach. First, accountability measures for war crimes need to be firmly established and respected. This includes documenting abuses on both sides rigorously. Secondly, social, political, and economic grievances must be addressed through inclusive governance and dialogue that brings various factions together. Only then can we hope for sustainable peace in a region long afflicted by such conflicts.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. El-Amin. Your insights are invaluable as we navigate through this troubling situation. It’s crucial that awareness continues to grow and the world takes heed of these humanitarian crises.
SE: Absolutely. My wish is that we see more conversations happening, not just about the violence, but about the urgent need for peace and the human lives at stake. Thank you for covering this important topic.