As Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip continues and the advance of ground troops is covered by massive aerial bombardments, the situation for the Palestinian civilian population in this strip of land is becoming increasingly dramatic. This is most evident in the attack by “thousands of desperate people” on the UN warehouses where aid is stored. The desperation raid dates back to yesterday, but Thomas White, the head of the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), announced it today, saying that supplies of flour, wheat and hygiene materials in particular were raided. “It is a worrying sign that civil order is beginning to collapse after three weeks of war and siege,” White said, quoted by the Guardian. “The needs of communities are immense, even just for survival, while the aid we receive is scarce and inconsistent,” said the head of UNRWA. What is of concern in the next few hours is the report from the Palestinian Red Crescent (Prcs), which reported that Israel had called for the immediate evacuation of the al-Quds hospital in the Gaza Strip as “it is on the verge of being bombed.” “There have been raids 50 meters from the hospital since this morning,” the organization said in a statement.
The advance into the Gaza Strip and the rockets into Israel
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated at a press conference in Tel Aviv that the war started by Israel will be “a very long war.” This morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that it had attacked more than 450 targets in the past 24 hours, including command centers, observation posts and missile launch sites. An Islamic Jihad leader, Taysir Alghouti, was also shot dead. The Palestinian faction itself made the announcement, revealing that the member of its political office was hit at his home in Rafah, southern Gaza, along with his family, many of whom died in the attack. In the last few hours, the IDF announced that it had taken part in fighting with Hamas militants in the north of the Gaza Strip: one officer was seriously injured by a mortar shell and was evacuated for medical treatment. Israeli media reports that the IDF distributed leaflets in the Gaza Strip calling on terrorists to surrender: “Disarm yourselves, raise your hands, if possible, wave a white sign.” They are acting on the IDF’s instructions and it is not “It is necessary to bring food and water – we will take care of it.” At the same time, warning sirens sounded again in central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, due to new rocket attacks from Gaza.
The awakening in Gaza
Today is the 22nd day of the war: According to Hamas, over 7,000 Palestinians have died; Over a thousand are Israelis, while the number of hostages held in the Gaza Strip remains above 200. On Friday evening, the IDF launched heavy attacks on the Gaza Strip and last night Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation and affirmed: “If Israel does not win this war, evil will spread.” For this reason, our victory will be the victory of good over evil For the Israeli Prime Minister, Hamas is “a cruel enemy” and Israel “wants to banish this evil from the world.” “Israel is not just waging its own war, but a war for humanity.” “We are ready for an immediate agreement to release all hostages in exchange for all Palestinian prisoners,” said Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza Strip immediately afterwards .
The Internet returns to the Strip
Both telephone and internet networks are now gradually returning to the Strip. “Humanitarian efforts in Gaza led by Egypt and the United States will be expanded on Sunday,” Israeli army spokesman Brigadier General Daniel Hagari said, adding: “Gaza residents have been warned for more than two weeks through various means of communication: They must stay away from Hamas outposts. This warning is repeated today: Civilians in northern Gaza and Gaza City should temporarily move south to a safer location where they can receive water, food and medicine.”
(Palestinians carry injured children after Israeli airstrikes in the northern Gaza Strip, October 28, 2023. Cover image EPA/MOHAMMED SABER)
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