What’s happening in Gaza?
In the past few hours:
- The Nasser Medical Complex says a Palestinian has been killed and many wounded when an Israeli drone bombed a tent for displaced people west of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.
- Invading Israeli forces continue to shell the eastern areas of Gaza City.
- Israeli artillery shelling accompanied by gunfire has targeted an area west of Khan Younis.
- The Israeli army has carried out a demolition operation against a residential area in the Saudi neighbourhood, west of Rafah in southern Gaza.
- Explosions have been reported in Jabalia in northern Gaza.
- At least two people have been killed and many wounded in an Israeli attack near an aid centre northwest of Rafah in southern Gaza.
Israeli blockade increasing threat of diseases in Gaza
Israel’s blockade on medical supplies is rapidly increasing the threat of diseases in Gaza.
Though the GHF is providing limited amounts of food, it does not give medicine, shelter or water. The WHO says destroyed health facilities and access to clean water have increased the risk of meningitis spreading.
As Israel prepares to force the entire population of Gaza to the south, those who have been displaced are already living in harsh conditions.
“In overcrowded shelters in Gaza, where hundreds of displaced families share limited space with little access to clean water or sanitation, cases of meningitis are rising. And children are particularly at risk,” said Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah.
“As negotiating teams focus on a ceasefire and the release of captives, the children of Gaza are facing a death sentence, one that comes quietly, painfully and without warning.”
At least 360 medical personnel arrested in Gaza
Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that at least 360 medical personnel have been arrested by Israel inside the enclave since the start of the war and those detained are “living in tragic and harsh conditions”.
Among the detainees are doctors, further depriving thousands of wounded Palestinians of medical care, the ministry said in a statement. It called for urgent international intervention “to criminalise the occupation’s practices against imprisoned medical staff and to pressure for their release”.
The Israeli army has killed at least 1,400 healthcare and medical workers across Gaza since the start of the war in October 2023, according to the ministry.
Aid reaching Gaza not enough for Palestinians
The only things the GHF is distributing are flour, rice, oil and a couple of other food items, which are not enough for Palestinian families.
Most of these people who approach the distribution points do not receive the food, but at the same time, they’re risking their lives; they’re being shot and wounded. Every time these distribution points open, people are killed. Earlier today, at least two Palestinians were killed at a GHF point in Rafah, and dozens were wounded.
Now, the only thing that is being distributed is food. There are no shelter items, no medications and no clean water. Trucks are not entering Gaza, and Palestinians are waiting every day for any news about more trucks. Whatever is coming in is not enough.
