Israeli Bombing Escalation in Gaza Sparks Deep Concerns for Civilians

Reports of a Sharp Escalation in Israeli Bombing in Southern Gaza over the weekend have Raised deep Concerns about the Safety of Civilians in the Region. UN Humanitarian Officials have indicated that access to aid in Gaza’s north is now entirely blocked with aid teams Experiencing extremely limited Movement. The latest Update from the UN Aid Coordination Office OCHA Confirmed a Significant rise in Casualties and extensive Damage Due to Heavy Israeli Bombardment from Air, Land and Sea.

Between the Afternoon of December 2 and the afternoon of December 3 at least 316 People were Reported Killed and another 664 Were injured in Gaza. The Israeli attacks resumed after a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel broke down on December 1. The ceasefire had allowed for the release of dozens of hostages taken from southern Israel during cross-border operations by the group.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, reported that in Rafah city in the south, people were being forced to flee amid airstrikes, with residents pleading for advice on finding safety. Approximately 1.8 million Gazans now reside in the south of Gaza following an IDF order in mid-October for residents to leave the north of the Strip.

In a new development, OCHA revealed that the Israeli military designated an area covering about 20 percent of Khan Younis city for immediate evacuation on Sunday. This area, previously home to nearly 117,000 people and housing 21 shelters with about 50,000 internally displaced persons, was marked on an online map published on social media.


Read More: Israel Resumes Gaza Bombing, Over 175 Palestinians Killed After Truce Expiration

While some humanitarian supplies continued to enter Gaza from Egypt, the exact number and contents were unclear. Ten humanitarian staff entered via the Rafah border crossing, which also saw the evacuation of 566 foreign nationals and dual citizens, 13 injured individuals, and 11 companions.

Read More: Pakistan Urges UN to Investigate Israel’s Atrocity Crimes in Palestine

International Concern over the Ongoing Violence in Gaza Prompted the UN Security Council to Schedule closed Consultations on the matter. The Situation remains Critical with Civilians caught in the Crossfire and limited access to Essential Humanitarian aid.