Title: Massive Death Toll in Israel-Hamas Conflict Sparks International Concerns
Date: [Insert Date]
The Israel-Hamas conflict that began on 7 October has taken a devastating toll, with the latest figures released by the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza revealing that over 10,000 Palestinians have been killed. This grim statistic includes more than 4,100 children and 2,640 women. The conflict escalated after Israeli airstrikes hit two refugee camps in the central Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of scores of people. As the civilian deaths continue to rise, Israel has rebuffed US suggestions for a humanitarian pause in its relentless bombardment of Gaza.
In the occupied West Bank, settler violence and Israeli raids have claimed the lives of more than 140 Palestinians. Meanwhile, more than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, with most of the casualties occurring in the 7 October Hamas attack that triggered the conflict. The militant group also took 242 hostages from Israel into Gaza.
Efforts to alleviate the crisis have seen roughly 1,100 people leaving the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing since Wednesday. This apparent agreement between the United States, Egypt, Israel, and Qatar, who mediates with Hamas, aims to provide humanitarian relief.
In response to the humanitarian crisis, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced an additional €25 million in aid for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, bringing the EU’s total aid to €100 million. She also proposed the establishment of a maritime corridor from Cyprus to transport humanitarian aid to Gaza. Von der Leyen emphasized that while Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, it is crucial to minimize civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, Israel intensified its strikes on Gaza, carrying out heavy bombings on Monday as ground fighting raged. Hamas reported that overnight strikes had killed over 200 people in the besieged enclave, with an estimated 10,000 deaths since the beginning of the conflict. The Israeli army has announced “intensive” strikes that are expected to last several days.
Amid the escalating conflict, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi accused the United States of “encouraging” Israel to commit atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza. Raisi urged for an immediate ceasefire and criticized American aid to Israel, claiming it enables acts of violence.
In a separate incident, Ahed Tamimi, an icon of the Palestinian cause, was arrested by the Israeli army during a raid in the occupied West Bank. The 22-year-old activist, known for her activism against Israeli oppression, was apprehended on suspicion of inciting violence and terrorist activities.
The conflict has also seen far-right Israeli minister Amichai Eliyahu suggest that Israel drop a nuclear bomb on the Gaza Strip as a possible option. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly disavowed Eliyahu’s comment and suspended him from meetings.
As the death toll rises and the humanitarian crisis worsens, pleas for an immediate ceasefire have intensified. The heads of 11 UN agencies and six humanitarian organizations have called for an end to the violence and for swift international assistance to ensure the provision of essential supplies to Gaza.
The conflict has not only claimed thousands of lives but also resulted in an alarming number of attacks on healthcare operations, including the deaths of 88 staff members from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). International organizations stress the urgent need to protect civilians and uphold their basic rights during this humanitarian crisis.