At least 28 Palestinians were killed and dozens more wounded when Israeli forces bombed three homes in Gaza City. The news follows reports from the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, indicating that two Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip were also killed by Israeli airstrikes.
G7 leaders have said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) must be allowed to operate without hindrance in Gaza, but the reality on the ground is dire. Rafah, a key area in Gaza, is under land, air, and sea attacks by Israeli forces, with Israeli ground forces demolishing Palestinian homes in what is described by experts as an apparent sign of ethnic cleansing. The region has been left without any functional hospitals, making it impossible to provide medical treatment for the injured or the deceased.
Journalists, healthcare workers, and paramedics face significant barriers in reaching central Rafah, particularly areas like Tal as-Sultan. The European Hospital in Khan Younis has become a critical facility, receiving a steady influx of injured individuals from Rafah, yet the capacity and resources remain insufficient to meet the overwhelming need.
Israel’s continued attacks of Palestinians extend beyond immediate violence in Gaza, it is also conducting violent military raids across the West Bank, profoundly affecting the economic and social fabric of the occupied Palestinian territories. Severe economic hardships and continuous attacks have overshadowed what would typically be festive celebrations of Eid al-Adha. Israel’s decision to freeze work permits for 80,000 Palestinians has worsened the situation, leading to a significant drop in economic activity.
Livestock markets have seen weak demand, and shops are experiencing decreased sales. Residents, grappling with the current suffering, draw painful comparisons to the Nakba of 1948. The war, destruction, mourning, and worsening economic conditions have led to a notable decline in clothing sales and overall market activity.
Since the Israel launched its deadly attacks on Gaza on 7 October, it has killed at least 37,296 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and wounded 85,197 others.