Gaza is reeling from a catastrophic night of Israeli bombardment, with civil defense forces reporting that the intensity of the strikes has resulted in the near-total annihilation of some victims, leaving rescue workers struggling to recover even fragments of bodies. According to Major Mahmoud Bassal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Gaza, the relentless aerial assaults, concentrated within a 12-hour period, targeted civilian infrastructure including shelters, tent camps, schools, and residential buildings. The renewed violence follows a brief ceasefire, leaving residents and aid workers in a state of shock and desperation.
Speaking with Al Jazeera, Major Bassal painted a grim picture of the situation on the ground. He stated that over 100 Palestinians, including 46 children, were killed in the latest wave of airstrikes. While the Israeli military claims these attacks were a response to Hamas violating the ceasefire agreement intended for prisoner exchange, prior to later announcing they would adhere to the agreement, the sheer scale of destruction and the high proportion of child casualties have drawn condemnation from international observers. Women and children account for over 70% of the casualties in the recent attacks, highlighting the devastating impact on the civilian population.
Civil defense teams are working tirelessly to recover bodies from the rubble, facing immense challenges due to the collapsed infrastructure and lack of essential equipment. Major Bassal described the situation as “catastrophic,” emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the task. Rescue efforts are focused on areas such as Al-Sabra, Sheikh Radwan, Tel Al-Hawa, and northern Gaza, where reports indicate that many people remain missing. The force of the Israeli strikes, he said, was so severe that the bodies of some victims are believed to have been “vaporized or scattered across considerable distances,” hindering identification and recovery efforts.
Bassal condemned the renewed attacks as a “clear and blatant violation of all humanitarian principles and the ceasefire agreement.” He questioned the role and effectiveness of the mediators and guarantors of the agreement following the deaths of over 100 Palestinians within a matter of hours. The return to violence after a brief respite has been a devastating blow to the residents of Gaza, who were hoping for a chance to recover and rebuild.
Despite the supposed ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, with mediation from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, Israeli airstrikes have continued to pound Gaza. Since the start of the ceasefire on October 10th, according to figures from the Gaza Health Ministry, 211 Palestinians have been killed and 597 injured.
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The lack of adequate resources further compounds the crisis. Major Bassal stated that his teams have received no new equipment or support, even though some aid trucks have entered Gaza in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross to handle the remains of Israeli prisoners. He emphasized that the Civil Defense has received nothing to aid in the recovery of an estimated 10,000 bodies still buried under the rubble. He urgently appealed for the establishment of safe humanitarian corridors to allow the entry of equipment, fuel, and the protection of civilians and rescue workers, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Major Bassal warned that the failure to provide necessary support will lead to a “major setback” after two years of what he described as catastrophic conditions for the besieged Palestinian territory. Gaza’s infrastructure has been decimated by years of conflict and blockade, leaving the population vulnerable and struggling to survive. The ongoing conflict has only exacerbated the existing humanitarian crisis.
The Israeli offensive, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in the deaths of 68,531 Palestinians and injuries to 170,402, the majority of whom are women and children, according to the latest figures from the Gaza Health Ministry. In addition, more than 9,500 Palestinians are believed to remain buried under the rubble. The United Nations estimates the cost of reconstruction at approximately $70 billion, with 90% of civilian infrastructure damaged or destroyed. The sheer scale of destruction and the immense loss of life underscore the urgent need for a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive plan for humanitarian assistance and reconstruction.
The international community is facing increasing pressure to intervene and ensure the protection of civilians in Gaza. The failure to uphold the ceasefire agreement and the continued targeting of civilian infrastructure have raised serious questions about the commitment to international law and humanitarian principles. The situation in Gaza demands immediate action to provide aid, protect civilians, and work towards a lasting resolution to the conflict.
