In a tragic turn of events, Israeli airstrikes targeted crowded UN shelters in the Jabalia refugee camp in north Gaza, claiming the lives of more than 80 people on Saturday. These strikes have intensified apprehensions for hundreds of thousands of civilians who sought refuge in south Gaza amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas.
The haunting reality that no place seems safe for Gaza’s civilians was underscored by an airstrike outside Khan Younis, which resulted in the loss of at least 26 lives in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The largest hospital in north Gaza, al-Shifa, witnessed an evacuation of all but 120 of the most vulnerable patients and a skeletal medical staff of five doctors. Amid ongoing bombings, the medical facilities in the area are grappling with basic resources for attending to new casualties.
Tragedy struck a UN-run school in the Jabalia camp, with at least 50 lives lost in a dawn attack, and another building in the same area saw 32 members of a single family perish, including 19 children, according to officials from the Hamas-run health ministry.
UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths expressed condemnation, stating, “Shelters are a place for safety. Schools are a place for learning. Tragic news of the children, women, and men killed while sheltering at al-Fakhouri school in northern Gaza.”
The Israeli military, having issued warnings in Arabic through social media for Jabalia residents to evacuate, declined immediate comment on the airstrikes.
Israel’s previous urging for civilians in and around Gaza City to move south as a protective measure has led to a significant migration. However, the recent urging for people to leave areas in the south, including Khan Younis town, has raised concerns for those who had recently relocated from the north.
The unfolding humanitarian crisis is compounded by severe overcrowding in shelters, depleting food and water supplies, and the imminent threat of infectious diseases. The war’s expected escalation in the coming days further exacerbates the plight of civilians.
As the conflict persists, questions loom over where the displaced civilians might find safety. The densely populated Gaza, even before the conflict erupted on October 7, is grappling with the displacement of approximately 1.6 million people, more than two-thirds of its population, according to UN figures.
Aid agencies face challenges in providing essential services due to shortages of fuel, communication issues, and obstacles in delivering humanitarian supplies to Gaza.
Amid the rising toll of casualties, the fear of a potential forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza adds a layer of complexity to an already dire situation. The international community closely watches as the conflict unfolds, grappling with the profound humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
