At dawn on Monday, settlers burned a number of cars of Palestinian citizens after attacking them in the city of Al-Bireh in the West Bank, coinciding with artillery shelling and heavy gunfire in the south of the Gaza Strip, while an Israeli bombing of a house in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood, east of Gaza, resulted in a number of deaths and injuries. Ambulance teams are still trying to rescue people missing under the rubble.
For its part, Al-Aqsa TV channel quoted local sources in Al-Bireh that the attackers burned 20 cars during the attack.
For its part, Gaza City witnessed, after midnight tonight, a dangerous escalation following artillery shelling and heavy gunfire south of the city, while an Israeli bombing of a house in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood, east of Gaza, resulted in a number of deaths and injuries, and ambulance teams are still trying to rescue missing people under the rubble.
Successive explosions were heard north of the Nuseirat camp in the middle of the Gaza Strip, while Israeli warplanes targeted the city of Rafah in the south, killing and wounding a number of citizens, according to what the Palestinian News Agency “Wafa” reported.
In the northern Gaza Strip, earlier tonight, Israeli forces continued to target health facilities, as Kamal Adwan, Al-Awda, and Indonesian hospitals were subjected to direct bombardment, causing major damage to these hospitals.
According to Wafa Agency, medical sources from Kamal Adwan Hospital reported that the artillery shelling targeted the dormitories and nursery departments, the hospital courtyard and water tanks, resulting in a child being seriously injured.
Israeli army artillery also bombed the vicinity of Al Awda Hospital in Jabalia Camp, while an Israeli drone fired at the gate and walls of the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Beit Lahia, which sparked panic among patients and health care teams.
Palestinians described the new major air and ground military offensive and forced evacuation orders as “ethnic cleansing” aimed at depopulating two towns and two camps in the northern Gaza Strip to create buffer zones. Israel denies this, saying it is fighting Hamas militants who launch attacks from there.
In turn, the Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip said, “More than 100,000 Palestinians are trapped in the North Gaza Governorate amid a complete lack of food and medicine.”
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman, Major Mahmoud Basal, confirmed in a press conference that more than 60% of those trapped are children and women.
Regarding medical services in the northern Gaza Strip, Basal said, “There is no medical treatment in the northern Gaza Strip. Unfortunately, the world that talks about democracy is letting Gaza be slaughtered.”
On October 23, the Civil Defense announced that it had completely stopped its work in the North Governorate, after the Israeli army arrested 5 of its members, directly targeted 3 others, and bombed the only fire truck.
On October 5, the Israeli occupation army began unprecedented bombing operations on the camp and town of Jabalia and large areas in the northern Gaza Strip, before invading it the next day under the pretext of “preventing the Hamas movement from regaining its power,” while the Palestinians say that Israel wants to occupy the region and displace it. Its inhabitants.
The attack, which coincided with a tight siege, caused the hospitals of the North Governorate to be out of service, and also led to the cessation of civil defense services and ambulances belonging to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Israel has continued its comprehensive aggression against the Gaza Strip by land, sea and air since October 7, 2023, in an attack that claimed the lives of 43,341 people and injured 102,105 others, most of them children and women, according to an initial toll.
Thousands of people are still missing under the rubble, amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the besieged Strip.
Last updated: November 4, 2024 – 12:12
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Omar al-Nasser, Middle East Conflict Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good morning, Dr. al-Nasser. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the escalating violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Dr. Omar al-Nasser (ON): Good morning, and thank you for having me. It’s crucial to address these urgent matters.
TNE: The recent events in Al-Bireh, where settlers attacked Palestinian citizens and burned cars, paint a grim picture of the situation. What factors do you believe are contributing to such violent incidents?
ON: The ongoing tensions between settlers and Palestinian civilians in the West Bank stem from deep historical grievances, territorial disputes, and increasing radicalization on both sides. The lack of adequate political solutions, coupled with provocative actions, fuels these acts of violence. Such incidents highlight the fragile and volatile nature of coexistence in the region.
TNE: It seems that the violence is not isolated to Al-Bireh. We’ve seen artillery shelling and bombings in Gaza, particularly in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood. What implications do these military actions have on civilians in Gaza?
ON: The implications are catastrophic. The bombing of residential areas not only results in loss of life but also leaves lasting psychological and physical scars on the survivors. Moreover, hospitals are being targeted, which exacerbates an already dire humanitarian crisis. The situation in the northern Gaza Strip is particularly alarming, with over 100,000 civilians, primarily women and children, trapped without access to essential services.
TNE: Reports indicate that medical facilities have been hit, compromising healthcare services. What does this mean for the health crisis in Gaza?
ON: The targeting of medical facilities is a violation of international humanitarian law. Not only does it hinder the immediate medical response for those injured by bombings, but it also endangers chronic patients who rely on hospitals for ongoing care. With emergency services claiming they have stopped their operations in parts of northern Gaza, we witness an unfolding humanitarian disaster.
TNE: The Civil Defense spokesperson painted a bleak picture, stating that the world is allowing Gaza to be “slaughtered.” How do you interpret that sentiment?
ON: It reflects a profound sense of abandonment felt by Palestinians. There’s a perception that international bodies, despite their rhetoric about democracy and human rights, are failing to act decisively to prevent civilian suffering. The lack of political will and tangible action creates a disparity between what is promised and what is delivered, leading to despair among the affected populations.
TNE: There are allegations of ethnic cleansing intended to depopulate certain areas in northern Gaza. How credible are these claims, and what evidence supports or refutes them?
ON: These claims are supported by the systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure and forced evacuations that seem disproportionate to military objectives. Ethnic cleansing involves not just the act of violence but also the intent behind it, which in this case aligns with statements from Israeli officials about creating buffer zones. However, Israel insists that it is targeting Hamas militants, which adds complexity to the narrative.
TNE: Given the current escalation, what can the international community or local organizations do to mitigate further violence and support civilians in this crisis?
ON: The international community must push for an immediate ceasefire and restore humanitarian access to affected areas. Local organizations, like NGOs, can work to provide emergency aid, medical assistance, and psychological support for traumatized civilians. But ultimately, a sustainable political solution is necessary to address the root causes of the conflict.
TNE: Dr. al-Nasser, do you think there’s any hope for a resolution in sight, or are we witnessing a deeper entrenchment of this violence?
ON: While the current situation is dire, peace is always possible. It requires commitment from both sides, constructive dialogue, and a serious engagement from the international community. But this hope feels distant amid cycles of violence and retaliation. Change is essential, and it must start from acknowledging the humanity on both sides.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. al-Nasser, for your insights. The situation is indeed complicated and requires urgent attention and action from the global community.
ON: Thank you for shedding light on this critical issue. Awareness is the first step toward change.