Adding thousands once listed as missing but now considered dead, Gaza authorities have revised the death estimate for Israel’s conflict in the enclave to 61,709. Thousands are still trapped under debris and many regions are out of reach of aid, resulting in an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.
Salama Maarouf, Head of the Gaza Government Information Office, verified that 76% of Palestinian injuries have been retrieved and taken to hospitals. Still, at least 14,222 individuals are under the rubble or marooned in areas not reached by rescue teams.
Maarouf disclosed that among the victims were 17,881 youngsters, including 214 infants, during a press conference at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The crisis has moreover uprooted more than 2 million individuals, many of whom have been compelled to run more than 25 times in desperate situations with no essentials including food, water, and medical assistance.
House Have Become Graveyards
The sensitive truce between Israel and Hamas, which took effect last month, has for the time being stopped the 15-month-long war. Thanks to this break, rescue operations can now reach into regions previously unattainable given the fierce battle.
Reporting live from al-Rashid Street, Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzom described the terrible aftermath. Rescue operations have become recovery ones for aid and medical personnel. He said hundreds of residences have become graveyards.
At the very least 1,155 medical personnel, 205 journalists, and 194 civil defense staff have died from the conflict. Further worsening the situation and complicating the distribution of aid is the damage done to essential infrastructure.
Ceasefire Negotiation Enter Second Phase
Set on stopping the war permanently, negotiations are now turning on the second stage of the three-stage ceasefire plan. Moderators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States will start talks today. If, though negotiations between Israel and Hamas does not take place, fighting could restart as soon as March.
Currently in Washington, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is anticipated to talk with Vice and President Bus. President Donald Trump to give a statement on the matter. Netanyahu is being pressured by his far-left partners to disregard the ceasefire and go on with military operations.
International worries and charges of war criminals
Together with other Israeli officials and Hamas leaders, Netanyahu is under investigation for suspected war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Netanyahu said of his forthcoming talks with Trump, “We will discuss beating Hamas, obtaining the release of all our hostages, and tackling the Iranian terror axis.”
Thousands of Gaza people still have an unknown future, which the whole planet is anxiously observing. Whether the delicate ceasefire gives way to permanent peace or the area falls back into war will be decided by the continuous talks.
