1-11-2023 (GAZA/JERUSALEM) A densely populated refugee camp in the Gaza Strip was subjected to intense Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 50 Palestinians, including a Hamas commander. The attack has caused immense difficulties for medical personnel who are struggling to treat the numerous casualties. In response, makeshift operating rooms have been set up in hospital corridors.
The Israeli military has been carrying out operations in Gaza for the past four days, following weeks of airstrikes in retaliation for a violent attack by Palestinian Hamas militants on Israeli civilians on October 7th, which also involved the taking of over 200 hostages.
According to a statement from the Israel Defence Forces, the strike targeted Jabalia, Gaza’s largest refugee camp, and resulted in the killing of Ibrahim Biari, whom they identified as a ringleader of the “murderous terror attack” on October 7th.
Palestinian health officials have reported at least 50 deaths and 150 injuries from the blast in the refugee camp. However, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem has denied the presence of any senior commander in the camp, dismissing the Israeli claims as a pretext for targeting civilians.
In a statement, Hamas further claimed that the number of dead and injured in Jabalia reached 400. This camp has provided shelter to families who have been displaced by conflicts with Israel dating back to 1948. Reuters has been unable to independently verify the reported casualty figures.
The impact of the explosion is evident in the large craters amidst the rubble and destroyed concrete buildings.
Israel has repeatedly urged residents of Gaza to evacuate the northern areas. While many have complied and moved to safer locations, there are still significant numbers of people who remain in the region.
Meanwhile, in Washington, a group of anti-war protesters disrupted a hearing in Congress on providing aid to Israel. They raised red-stained hands and chanted slogans demanding an immediate ceasefire and the protection of Gaza’s children. Capitol police eventually removed them from the room.
When questioned about the blast at the refugee camp, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby declined to comment, stating that he had no information at that time. He did, however, emphasize that the killing of civilians is not a stated objective of Israel.
Gaza Faces Dire Public Health Crisis
The United Nations and other aid officials have issued warnings about the dire public health crisis engulfing the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza. Hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of casualties as electricity supplies continue to dwindle.
Following the attack on Jabalia, chilling footage obtained by Reuters revealed dozens of bodies shrouded in white, lined up against the walls of the nearby Indonesian Hospital.
Surgeons in Gaza are working tirelessly to treat patients amidst dwindling supplies of medicine, frequent power cuts, and the constant threat of airstrikes or artillery fire that have already damaged hospital buildings. Dr. Mohammed al-Run expressed the challenges they are facing, stating, “We take it an hour at a time because we don’t know when we will be receiving patients. Several times we’ve had to set up surgical spaces in the corridors and even sometimes in the hospital waiting areas.”
Hamas has informed mediators that they will release some foreign captives in the coming days. In a video posted on the Telegram app, Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for Hamas’ armed wing, al-Qassam Brigades, made the announcement but provided no further details regarding the number or nationalities of the captives.
Simultaneously, families of victims of the October 7th attack in Israel have appealed to the International Criminal Court to initiate an investigation into the killings and abductions. However, since Israel is not a member of the Hague-based court and refuses to recognize its jurisdiction, the prospects of such an investigation remain uncertain.
Efforts to Evacuate Wounded Gazans
Negotiations to secure safe passage for Americans and other foreign nationals seeking to leave Gaza have made notable progress in recent hours, according to US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. The United States, Qatar, and Egypt have been working together to open the Rafah crossing into Egypt, allowing people to enter or exit the region.
The Palestinian border authority stated that Egyptian authorities will permit 81 severely wounded Gazans, who have been victims of weeks of bombardment, to enter Egypt on Wednesday for further medical treatment.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has once again appealed for the protection of civilians caught in the conflict. He stressed the importance of proportional behavior and precautions from all parties involved.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed international calls for a “humanitarian pause” in the fighting, which would facilitate emergency aid deliveries to the suffering civilian population. He remains determined to pursue the annihilation of Hamas, following several inconclusive wars since the group’s takeover of Gaza in 2007.
Israeli Ground Forces Engage Hamas in Tunnels
On the ground, Israeli forces are engaged in battles with Hamas gunmen operating within an extensive network of tunnels. These tunnels, located beneath the densely populated enclave are a primary target for Israeli forces.
According to Israeli officials, the airstrikes have targeted approximately 300 locations in the past 24 hours, including underground Hamas military compounds and launch sites for rockets and anti-tank missiles concealed below tunnel shafts. In response, Hamas militants have retaliated with anti-tank missiles and machine gun fire. The Israeli military has reported the killing of several militants, though specific numbers have not been provided.
In a statement, Hamas acknowledged engaging in fierce battles with Israeli ground forces and claimed that their fighters were inflicting losses on the Israeli troops. They emphasized their determination to defend Gaza and referred to it as the eternal graveyard for invaders.
