Intense Air Attacks in Gaza City Amid Israeli Operations

Gaza City is experiencing severe air assaults, as reported by the Hamas-controlled civil defense agency, while Israeli forces prepare to launch a takeover of the city.

Spokesman Mahmud Bassal stated that residential areas, particularly Zeitoun and Sabra, have suffered three days of bombardment, resulting in extensive damage to civilian homes. He noted that residents are unable to retrieve the deceased and injured due to the ongoing attacks.

In a related development, the UK, EU, Australia, Canada, and Japan issued a statement expressing concern over an impending famine, urging measures to combat starvation in Gaza. They called for “immediate, permanent, and concrete steps” to facilitate humanitarian aid, which Israel contests by claiming there is no famine, accusing UN agencies of failing to effectively distribute aid.

The joint statement also called for halting the use of lethal force near aid distribution areas, where the UN reports over 1,300 Palestinian fatalities, primarily attributed to Israeli military actions. Additionally, the World Health Organization has requested that Israel allow medical supplies into Gaza to address a deteriorating health crisis.

“Although we hear about increased humanitarian supplies, this is not happening at a sufficient rate,” said Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in the region. He emphasized the urgency of stocking hospitals with essential medical supplies, stating, “We’re currently unable to do so.”

Israel’s war cabinet has voted to take control of Gaza City, a decision that faced condemnation during an emergency UN Security Council meeting. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) indicated the beginning of a new phase in combat operations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned instructions for dismantling the last Hamas strongholds in Gaza City and promised a three-step plan to enhance aid deliveries, including safe corridors and increased air drops.

Residents in Gaza City reported relentless air attacks, with one local, Majed al-Hosary, describing the situation as extremely intense and lamenting the inability to reach victims under the rubble due to continuous shelling. The Hamas health ministry reported that over the last 24 hours, 100 bodies were taken to hospitals, alongside deaths attributed to malnutrition.

Internationally, criticism of Israel’s actions during the ongoing conflict with Hamas has intensified, with experts warning of a wide-scale famine in Gaza. The Elders, a group of former world leaders, labeled the situation as “unfolding genocide,” highlighting the humanitarian crisis. They noted, “Our observations confirm the existence of not just a famine but an unfolding genocide.”