The Gaza Strip has witnessed a devastating escalation in violence since October 7, 2024, marking one of the most severe periods of conflict in the region’s recent history. According to the health ministry in Gaza, the death toll has alarmingly risen to 28,064 Palestinians, with 67,611 others sustaining injuries due to Israeli strikes. The last 24 hours alone have seen at least 117 Palestinian fatalities and 152 injuries, underscoring the relentless intensity of the conflict.
This recent surge in violence is a grim continuation of hostilities that have profoundly impacted both sides. Al Jazeera reports a slightly higher death toll of 28,337 Palestinians and 1,139 Israelis since the conflict’s onset. These figures reflect the profound human cost of the ongoing war, with casualties including a significant number of children and women, highlighting the conflict’s indiscriminate nature.
Palestinian-Irish plastic surgeon Ahmed El Mokhallalati checks a Palestinian man wounded in an Israeli strike, at the European Hospital, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip January 31, 2024.
The situation on the ground is dire, with essential infrastructure severely compromised. Israeli attacks have resulted in the destruction or damage of over half of Gaza‘s homes, leaving 360,000 residential units affected. Additionally, the conflict has damaged 390 educational facilities and 13 out of 35 hospitals, only partially functioning now. The humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by the blockade, severely restricting access to essential services and goods for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
Efforts to mediate peace have been met with challenges, as both sides continue to endure the war’s ravages. The international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that can end the suffering and bring lasting peace to the region.
