Official: ‘Entire Families Disappeared’ After Khan Younis Attack

As of Tuesday, the health ministry in Gaza reported that at least 41,020 Palestinian individuals have died and more than 94,925 have been injured due to Israeli airstrikes since October 7th. Notably, this toll includes 32 deaths and approximately 100 injuries reported in the past 24 hours.

Health officials mentioned that thousands more casualties are likely still trapped in the debris across the enclave.

ActionAid has stated that humanitarian workers in Gaza face significant safety challenges while attempting to deliver aid in the midst of ongoing conflict. Reports indicate that Israeli military actions targeted aid warehouses and vehicles, complicating relief efforts. Nevertheless, the charity reported progress in a polio vaccination initiative aimed at children under 10, which has now commenced its second week. The UN’s Palestine relief agency, UNRWA, noted that over 446,000 children have already been vaccinated against polio, thanks to temporary pauses in fighting agreed upon by both Hamas and Israel.

Despite the achievement of vaccinating many children, ActionAid highlighted serious concerns regarding the distribution of vaccines to medical points throughout the Gaza Strip, coupled with critical fuel shortages affecting hospitals. In a press release covering these ongoing challenges, ActionAid reported that logistical barriers were mounting due to diminished humanitarian spaces. For example, Israeli forces issued 16 displacement orders in August alone, restricting humanitarian zones to just under 11% of Gaza.

Consequently, some aid operations have had to be suspended. In a tragic incident, airstrikes this morning resulted in 40 Palestinian deaths and 60 injuries within a camp for displaced families in Al-Mawasi, which had been designated a humanitarian zone by the Israeli military.

Meanwhile, Turkey condemned the deadly airstrikes on Al-Mawasi, labeling them a “war crime” as health authorities reported that at least 40 individuals were killed and another 60 injured. Turkish officials condemned the Israeli actions as a massacre against civilians, expressing outrage over the continued violence.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have reported downing a U.S. drone in the western province of Saada, marking their ninth such success since the onset of the Israel-Gaza war last October. The group claims to have shot down another U.S.-made MQ-9 drone, showcasing their heightened military activities and support for Hamas during this conflict.

In a separate development, Israel’s defense minister claimed that Hamas no longer functions as a military entity in Gaza, asserting that the group has transitioned to guerrilla warfare. He stated recent aggressive military actions have severely hampered Hamas’s operational capabilities, emphasizing the ongoing pursuit of Hamas leadership.

Israel has reportedly killed over half of the Hamas leadership and apprehended a significant number of its fighters, although these claims remain contested by Hamas itself. The defense minister expressed support for negotiations regarding a potential hostage release agreement in the context of a ceasefire, acknowledging the strategic benefits it could yield for national security.

Australia’s government is working with the UK and other partners to apply pressure on Israel to mitigate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, marking a notable shift in its previously cautious rhetoric regarding the situation. The Australian government has also backed the UK’s decision to restrict arms sales to Israel, reflecting growing international concern about the ongoing conflict’s impact on civilians.

Reports from Gaza indicate a catastrophic humanitarian situation, particularly in the Al-Mawasi region, where airstrikes have resulted in massive destruction and loss of life. The Gaza civil defense agency confirmed that significant number of casualties occurred in the overnight airstrikes, with search and recovery efforts ongoing amidst the rubble.

Witnesses described the scene as tragic, with families missing and many buried under debris in what has been characterized as a massacre. Military officials in Israel have denied the death toll provided by Gazan authorities, claiming that the targeted strikes were aimed at Hamas militants actively operating in the area.

The conflict has created immense upheaval, with a large portion of Gaza’s population displaced multiple times, creating dire conditions marked by a lack of basic necessities and services. Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly stressed the appalling living conditions for those in designated safety zones, amidst widespread desperation and fear.

The situation continues to evolve, with the international community increasingly focused on the unfolding crisis. As the death toll climbs and destruction intensifies, the hope for meaningful resolutions diminishes for affected families seeking safety and stability.

Source: The Guardian