Israel (Washington Insider Magazine) – Heavy Israeli bombardment shook Gaza City on Tuesday as thousands of fleeing Palestinians searched for shelter and medical facilities were forced to shut down in the latest offensive in the territory’s north.
Ground Assault Targets Hamas Militants
Israel’s new ground assault in Gaza City aims to combat Hamas militants who have regrouped in areas previously deemed clear by the Israeli army. The offensive has left much of the city in ruins after nine months of conflict, with several hundred thousand Palestinians still residing in the north despite mass evacuations.
Civilian Casualties and Disruptions
According to AP, the ongoing bombardment has caused widespread panic and displacement. Hakeem Abdel-Bar, a resident of Gaza City’s Tuffah district, described the intense fighting and the constant strikes from Israeli warplanes and drones. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that many areas remained inaccessible to first responders due to the military operations.
Hospitals Forced to Evacuate
Following Israel’s call for evacuation from parts of Gaza City, hospitals like Al-Ahli and the Patients Friends Association Hospital moved patients and shut down. The United Nations confirmed these closures, while the Red Crescent stated that all three of its medical points in Gaza City were no longer operational.
Impact on Gaza’s Medical Infrastructure
Despite Israeli assurances that hospitals did not need to evacuate, medical facilities in Gaza have frequently relocated patients due to fears of military action. Over the past nine months, Israeli forces have occupied at least eight hospitals, resulting in the deaths of patients and staff and severe damage to facilities. Only 13 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are currently operational, and even those are functioning partially.
Humanitarian Crisis and Displacement
Israel’s campaign in Gaza, sparked by Hamas’ October 7 attack, has resulted in significant casualties and widespread displacement. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that over 5% of the territory’s 2.3 million population has been killed or wounded. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are now living in overcrowded tent camps.
Civilian Struggles Amid Ongoing Conflict
Maha Mahfouz, a mother of two, described her experiences fleeing multiple times within 24 hours due to the worsening violence. She recounted the extensive destruction in Gaza City’s eastern and central regions, with buildings and roads leveled to the ground.
Casualties from Recent Strikes
Israeli airstrikes in the central town of Deir al-Balah and nearby refugee camps claimed the lives of at least 14 people, including children. An attack on a police station in the Nuseirat refugee camp resulted in further casualties. Hospitals in the region are struggling to cope with the influx of wounded, including many women and children.
Israeli Military Operations and Hamas’ Response
The Israeli military continues to target areas in Gaza City where it believes Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants are regrouping. Hamas has cautioned that these latest raids could impede ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
Ceasefire Talks Face Obstacles
The USA, Egypt, and Qatar are tirelessly meditating the ceasefire negotiations. These negotiations are making progress but still have many obstacles to overcome. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi met with CIA Director William Burns to discuss the talks. However, there are still differences, particularly over how to halt the war with Hamas.
Ongoing conflict and victims
Approximately 250 people were abducted and 1,200 people died in the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel. The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip reports that over 38,200 Palestinians have died and over 88,000 have been injured as a result of the Israeli bombardment and ground actions that followed.