Gaza Under Fire: Rising Death Toll as Israeli Tanks Advance on Deir el-Balah

Gaza Reels as Airstrikes and Starvation Grip the Strip

Gaza City, Palestine – The Gaza Strip continued to face a devastating humanitarian crisis on monday, with Israeli airstrikes claiming multiple lives across the territory, including a family of four in southern Gaza. Amidst the ongoing conflict, reports of starvation deaths are surging, underscoring the dire conditions faced by the Palestinian population.

In Khan younis, southern Gaza, at least five individuals, including a husband, wife, and their two children, were killed when an Israeli air strike hit a tent, according to medics. Earlier in the day, four more Palestinians, identified as aid seekers, perished while waiting for food near a distribution center managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israeli-backed organization.The north of the Strip also saw violence, with five Palestinians killed in a separate Israeli bombardment in Jabalia al-Balad. In the nearby Jabalia al-Nazla area, the Palestine Red Crescent Society reported recovering one body and evacuating three wounded individuals following an Israeli artillery strike. Sources at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza city indicated that drone strikes in the area also resulted in casualties.

These incidents follow a grim Sunday,during which the Gaza Ministry of Health reported 134 fatalities and 1,155 injuries attributed to Israeli forces. The cumulative death toll in Gaza as the conflict began has now reached at least 59,029.

The escalating violence is compounded by a severe aid blockade, leading to widespread starvation.On Sunday alone, Gaza health authorities reported a staggering 19 deaths from starvation, highlighting the desperate situation.

Antoine Renard, the World Food Program‘s Palestine representative, reiterated the UN agency’s long-standing warnings about the impending starvation in Gaza. Speaking to Al Jazeera, renard described a “level of despair” where individuals risk their lives for any available assistance. He noted a “soaring number of people facing malnutrition,” reaching unprecedented levels.

UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, echoed these concerns, receiving “desperate messages of starvation” from within gaza, including from its own staff. The agency stated, “The suffering in Gaza is manmade and must be stopped. Lift the siege and let aid in safely and at scale.”

Further exacerbating the crisis, Amjad Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGO Network, reported that an estimated 900,000 children in Gaza are suffering from varying degrees of malnutrition.

In a meaningful international response, 25 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Canada, and japan, issued a joint statement demanding an immediate end to the war in Gaza and urging Israel to comply with international law. The foreign ministers condemned “the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food.” They characterized the israeli government’s aid delivery model as “dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity,” and declared that the denial of essential humanitarian assistance is “unacceptable.”

What are the primary factors contributing to the rising death toll in Gaza,as highlighted in the article?

Intensified Ground Offensive in Central Gaza

Israeli tanks and armored vehicles have made significant advances into Deir el-Balah,a city in central gaza,marking a new escalation in the ongoing conflict.This push comes amidst a rapidly rising death toll and increasing concerns over the humanitarian crisis gripping the besieged territory. Reports from the ground indicate heavy shelling and airstrikes targeting residential areas,infrastructure,and suspected militant positions. The Israel defense Forces (IDF) state the operation aims to dismantle Hamas infrastructure and neutralize remaining fighters in the area, following their operations in rafah and Jabalia.

The current offensive is significantly impacting the already fragile situation for civilians in Deir el-Balah, which had become a refuge for displaced Palestinians from other parts of Gaza.The influx of people seeking safety has overwhelmed the city’s resources, exacerbating shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.

Civilian Impact and Humanitarian Crisis

The latest escalation is driving a dramatic increase in casualties. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the death toll has surpassed 37,000 since the start of the conflict in October 2023, with a significant proportion being women and children.Thousands more are reported injured, many with life-threatening wounds.

Displacement: an estimated 300,000 residents have been displaced from Deir el-Balah in the past week alone, seeking shelter in overcrowded UN-run schools and makeshift camps. Internal displacement within Gaza continues to be a major challenge.

Healthcare Collapse: The healthcare system in Gaza is on the brink of collapse. Hospitals are operating at maximum capacity, facing critical shortages of essential medicines, equipment, and personnel. Attacks on medical facilities have further hampered efforts to provide care.

Food Insecurity: The World Food program (WFP) warns of imminent famine in Gaza,with over 80% of the population experiencing acute food insecurity. Restrictions on aid deliveries and ongoing fighting are hindering humanitarian access.

Water Crisis: Access to clean water is severely limited,increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.Damaged infrastructure and fuel shortages are preventing the operation of water purification plants.

IDF Objectives and Hamas Response

The IDF has stated its objectives in Deir el-Balah include:

1. Targeting Hamas Command Centers: The IDF claims to be focusing on dismantling Hamas command and control infrastructure in the area.
2. Eliminating Militant Fighters: The operation aims to neutralize Hamas fighters and prevent them from launching attacks against Israel.
3. Securing Strategic Routes: Controlling key routes in central Gaza is seen as crucial for preventing the movement of weapons and personnel.

Hamas has responded with rocket fire towards Israeli cities and towns, as well as engaging IDF forces in ground clashes. The group maintains its commitment to resisting the Israeli occupation and defending the Palestinian people. Recent reports suggest Hamas fighters are utilizing tunnels and urban warfare tactics to counter the IDF advance.

International Response and Calls for Ceasefire

The international community has expressed growing concern over the escalating violence in Gaza. The United Nations, the United States, and the European Union have all called for an immediate ceasefire and increased humanitarian access.

UN Security Council: Efforts to pass resolutions calling for a ceasefire have been repeatedly blocked by the United States, citing Israel’s right to defend itself.

International Court of Justice (ICJ): The ICJ has issued provisional measures ordering Israel to take all possible steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza, a ruling Israel disputes.

Mediation Efforts: Egypt and Qatar are continuing to mediate between Israel and Hamas, seeking to negotiate a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages.

The Role of Rafah Crossing and aid Delivery

The Rafah crossing, the primary entry point for humanitarian aid into Gaza, has faced repeated closures and restrictions, severely limiting the flow of essential supplies. The IDF’s operation in Rafah has further complex aid delivery efforts, raising fears of a complete blockade.

Kerem Shalom Crossing: While the Kerem Shalom crossing has been opened intermittently, it has been subject to security concerns and logistical challenges.

Airdrops: International organizations have resorted to airdropping aid into Gaza, but this method is insufficient to meet the overwhelming needs of the population.

Land routes: Opening additional land routes for aid delivery is crucial, but requires the cooperation of all parties involved.

Impact on Neighboring Countries & Regional Stability

The conflict in Gaza is having ripple effects throughout the region.

Lebanon: Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, has been exchanging fire with Israel along the Lebanon-Israel border, raising concerns of a wider regional conflict.

Egypt: Egypt is facing increased pressure to open its border with Gaza to allow for the entry of aid and refugees.

* Jordan: Jordan has been