Israeli occupation forces have escalated their deadly attacks on the Gaza Strip, depriving residents of the atmosphere of preparation for the blessed Eid al-Fitr. The past hours witnessed a series of raids targeting civilian gatherings, resulting in martyrs and wounded in various areas of the Strip.
In Gaza City, four citizens were martyred as a result of shelling that targeted the Al-Tuffah and Al-Zaytoun neighborhoods; local sources reported the martyrdom of Dhaif Allah Al-Fayoumi and Ali Al-Mamlouk in Al-Tuffah neighborhood. A drone also targeted a group of citizens in Kashko Street in Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, leading to the martyrdom of Hamza Siam and Muhammad Farhat.
On the ground, the eastern areas of Gaza City were subjected to intense artillery shelling and machine-gun fire, affecting areas within what is known as the 'Yellow Line'. These attacks extended to include towns east of Khan Yunis and the central Strip, causing a state of panic among citizens outside the contact areas.
On the military front, the spokesman for the occupation army announced the implementation of a joint operation with the 'Shin Bet' agency that resulted in the assassination of Muhammad Abu Shahla. The occupation described Abu Shahla as the head of military intelligence in the Khan Yunis Brigade of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement.
The occupation army claimed that the assassination was carried out by a precise air raid that targeted a location in Khan Yunis city based on intelligence information. The occupation claimed that Abu Shahla was an officer responsible for planning field operations and participated in planning the October 7 attack in his area.
This operation is the second of its kind within a week, after the occupation previously announced the assassination of Younis Aliyan, commander of the northern Gaza Brigade in the naval system. These assassinations come amid continuous Israeli threats to eliminate the military leaders of Palestinian factions in the Strip.
For his part, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem affirmed that this escalation represents a serious violation and a continuation of the genocide war against the Palestinian people. He pointed out that the occupation disregards the efforts of mediators aimed at stopping the continuous breaches and violations of ceasefire agreements.
In the context of the humanitarian situation, the occupation authorities partially reopened the Rafah land crossing after a strict closure that lasted for about 19 days. This limited opening allowed a small batch of wounded and sick people and their companions to pass, under the supervision of the World Health Organization and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
Despite this step, the number of people allowed to leave is still very small compared to the actual needs, as more than 20,000 patients are waiting for their turn to travel. Hospitals in Gaza suffer from massive destruction and a severe shortage of staff and equipment, threatening the lives of thousands of injured people who need complex surgical interventions.
Regarding supplies, human rights reports revealed a sharp decrease in the number of aid trucks entering the Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing. According to Al-Dameer Foundation, what entered during the past period did not exceed 19% of the basic needs of the besieged population.
This shortage led to suffocating living crises, including the loss of meat and basic foodstuffs and their prices rising insanely beyond the purchasing power of citizens. The scarcity of cooking gas also caused long queues that could extend for a full month to fill one cylinder.
The energy and transportation sectors were not immune from this crisis, as the shortage of diesel led to a partial halt in waste collection operations and the operation of water wells. Medical institutions warned of the cessation of vital devices in hospitals as a result of restrictions imposed on the entry of spare parts and necessary medical supplies.
The occupation also continues to prevent the entry of tents, prefabricated housing 'caravans' and construction materials, exacerbating the suffering of thousands of families who lost their homes during the war. Human rights organizations consider these measures a blatant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which obliges the occupying power to provide for the needs of civilians.
National and human rights organizations called on the international community and the United Nations to take immediate action to pressure Israel to lift the siege completely. They stressed the need to ensure the unimpeded flow of humanitarian and medical aid to save what can be saved from the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip.
The occupation is dangerously escalating its aggression, and the continued killing of civilians and tightening of the siege constitute a continuation of the genocide war against the residents of the Strip as we approach Eid al-Fitr.
شارك برأيك
The occupation escalates its massacres in Gaza and announces the assassination of 'Al-Qassam' intelligence official in Khan Yunis