How many X before peace?

TDT | Agencies  

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The death toll in Gaza from Israeli attacks has crossed five-fold that of the deaths from Hamas’ attack on Israel yesterday, as the conflict continues to rage even after three weeks.

The health ministry of Gaza said yesterday that 7,326 people have been killed in Palestinian territory since the conflict began on October 7.

This includes 3,038 children who were killed in the constant bombardments by Israel.

A total of 18,967 people have been wounded across Gaza, the AFP reported, quoting a statement issued by the ministry yesterday afternoon.

Yesterday, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said the death toll given by the health ministry in Gaza regarding past conflicts had proved credible.

As global powers continue to debate a humanitarian pause, instead of ending the conflict and the horrendous human suffering, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned yesterday that Gaza faces an unprecedented avalanche of human suffering due to a lack of food, water, and power.

He repeated the call for a humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the delivery of life-saving medications.

“Misery is growing by the minute. Without a fundamental change, the people of Gaza will face an unprecedented avalanche of human suffering,” the UN chief said.

The UN General Assembly yesterday voted in favour of a non-binding resolution by Jordan, on behalf of the UN’s 22-nation Arab group, calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza.

As per initial reports, 120 countries voted in favour of the resolution, 14 voted against it, and 45 abstained from voting.

As per the preliminary reports, the countries that voted against the resolution include Israel, the USA, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Czechia, Fiji, Guatemala, Papa New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Nauru.

At the Assembly, the US and the UK reiterated their earlier stance of supporting Israel’s right to defend its people while encouraging Israel, Egypt, and other actors to take steps to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and to work on a two-state solution.

Ground operation

Even as the global powers are calling for reducing the conflict and alleviating human suffering, Israel yesterday said it is planning to extend the Gaza ground operation.

The announcement came after two weeks of tank incursions into Gaza.

The armed wing of Hamas responded with salvos of rockets aimed at Israel, AFP reports said.

All Internet and telecommunications connectivity has been cut off in Gaza since Friday following the constant bombings by Israel.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has warned that many more will die in Gaza from catastrophic shortages of food, water, and medicines.