Gaza Death Toll Surpasses 43,000 as Israeli Strikes Continue, UN Calls Situation “Unbearable”
The death toll in the Gaza Strip has tragically surpassed 43,000 as Israeli airstrikes continue, with the majority of casualties occurring in the northern part of the enclave where a renewed ground offensive has been ongoing for the past three weeks, Al Jazeera reports.
The situation has prompted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to describe the plight of civilians in northern Gaza as “unbearable.”
On Sunday, at least 11 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded after a school in northern Gaza was struck by an Israeli airstrike. The Israeli military has said it is investigating the incident.
The Israeli military claims to have killed over 40 Hamas fighters in the Jabalia area within the past 24 hours, as well as dismantling infrastructure and locating significant amounts of military equipment. However, the relentless strikes in Jabalia, Beit Hanoon, and Beit Lahiya have resulted in some 800 fatalities, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
The densely populated Gaza Strip lies in ruins, with the UN Secretary-General expressing shock at the “harrowing levels of death, injury, and destruction.”
Amidst the escalating violence, new ceasefire talks have begun in Doha, Qatar. On Sunday, the directors of the CIA and Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency travelled to Qatar to meet with the country’s Prime Minister to discuss a potential ceasefire agreement. Egyptian officials are also participating in the talks.
Separately, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has proposed a two-day ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of Israeli captives and some Palestinian prisoners.
Beyond the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces have expanded their operations, carrying out air raids on southern Beirut’s suburbs, prompting warnings for residents of several neighborhoods to evacuate their homes. Israeli forces have also targeted southern Lebanon, resulting in at least eight deaths and 25 injuries in an airstrike on the coastal city of Sidon. Lebanese officials report a total of 21 casualties from Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon.
In response, Hezbollah has launched attacks across the border into northern Israel. While US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in London, he did not call for an immediate ceasefire. The United States, a significant arms supplier and diplomatic supporter of Israel, has been condemned for its role in allowing Israel to violate international laws of war.
