The latest report from authorities on Sunday, October 8, shows that at least 413 people were killed and 2,300 injured in Israeli army bombings in Gaza in retaliation for Hamas’ major offensive on Saturday. According to the Israeli army, “more than 500 targets” were attacked overnight. The health infrastructure has not been spared and the hospitals that still exist are overwhelmed. The population is suffering from the ongoing strikes. Calls for an end to the bombings and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor are growing louder.
Published on: 09/10/2023 – 06:50
5 minutes
In Gaza, the population, already suffering from poverty and blockades, is experiencing even tougher times due to bombings by the Israeli army. Ziad Medoukh, a French university professor, lives there. Accompanied by Marie NormandHe says he experienced two terrible last days due to the intensity of the raids :
“They give 15 minutes warning before a tower or large building is bombed. However, for a population crammed into a 15-story building with at least 300 to 400 residents, 15 minutes is not enough. »
The stigmata are visible in the city. Schools, mosques, buildings, houses, cars, banks… Numerous infrastructure and property were destroyed. The supply of water and electricity is complicated, especially since the Israeli energy minister ordered the power supply to Gaza to be cut off on Saturday evening. Medication and food are missing.
“We are experiencing a dramatic situation on the humanitarian and security level,” admits Ziad Medoukh, who appeals to the world: “The Palestinians in Gaza are demanding one thing: urgent intervention by the international community to stop Israeli attacks.” This is the only demand of the population . Nothing more and nothing less than the application of international law (…). They have been suffering from this blockade and its serious economic and social consequences for 16 years. »
The Palestinians in Gaza are very tired and want stability and peace. They are convinced that there will never be a military solution to this long-standing conflict. The only solution is peace. But to achieve peace, international resolutions and international law must be applied. Peace is achieved primarily through justice.
Ziad Medoukh, French teacher in Gaza: “Peace will come primarily through justice”
Marie Normand
“Couldn’t we all live together here in peace? »
For Ahmed, despair, resignation and fatigue are part of everyday life. This 32-year-old man lives in Gaza and has never left his enclave under Israeli blockade. He has experienced wars; five in 15 years. “One more, one less, what’s the difference?” No one will escape death. “Today, tomorrow it will strike when my time has come,” he burst into the microphone of our correspondent in Jerusalem. Sami Boukhelifa.
“Israel colonized our land. The Israelis have forced part of our Palestinian people into exile. Another part lives excluded. And another part is under blockade here in Gaza. We live like animals. Some of us have become monsters. And when these monsters attack their creator – Israel – we wonder why? Then they call us terrorists, child murderers and civilian murderers,” Ahmed continues.
In the eyes of Gazans, “the Jewish state is responsible for all the innocent victims: Palestinians and Israelis.” It is the occupation and injustice that generates all this violence.” “They say the land here does not belong to the Palestinians. Either. It is the holy land of the Children of Israel. God himself commanded them to live there. So what about us? Are we good to throw away? Couldn’t we all live together here in peace? Even if they want to be in power, we accept it. We just want the same rights for everyone,” he says.
“This tragedy that Israel has just experienced is our daily life in Gaza,” Ahmed notes. As if from wishful thinking, he hopes that the world will finally become aware of the reality experienced here.
A Palestinian child walks pushing his bicycle in front of the ruins of a building destroyed by an Israeli army airstrike in Gaza, October 8, 2023. AP – Fatima Shbair
Also read Hamas attack: Calls for reprisals are increasing among the Israeli population
Doctors of the world are calling for the protection of healthcare professionals
Since Israel’s response in Gaza began on Saturday, health infrastructure has come under attack, making communication with the territory difficult. “Communication basically takes place via the Internet. Unfortunately, a large part of our teams no longer have access to it because the infrastructure of the main network has been compromised,” explains Mahmoud Isleem, field coordinator of the NGO Médecins du monde Aabla Jounaidi.
But it’s not just the networks that have suffered. Several nurses were killed or injured, and ambulances and hospitals were damaged. “Our director in Gaza saw firsthand how her fate was met. Our teams are very concerned for themselves and their families. They are afraid of being targeted in this war as it increases in intensity. “In addition, airstrikes and heavy fighting prevent the population from accessing vital services, starting with healthcare,” continues Mahmoud Isleem.
As Israel prepares for a major military action, Doctors of the World calls on belligerents to respect international humanitarian law and asks the international community to use its efforts to ensure the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to facilitate the transport of medicines and medical supplies To enable equipment to go to Gaza.
“We are sending this message to all countries. They must call on Israel to protect health workers in Gaza. We also call on the international community to put pressure on the establishment of a humanitarian corridor. It would ensure access to medicines and medical supplies in Gaza, as well as access for humanitarian personnel,” emphasizes Mahmoud Isleem.
The protection of the civilian population must be guaranteed on both sides. Civilians should be spared from the fighting. They should continue to have access to essential health services. For this we need a humanitarian corridor.
Mahmoud Isleem (field coordinator for Médecins du Monde): “We need a humanitarian corridor”
Aabla Jounaidi
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