Crisis deepens in Gaza as Israel-Gaza conflict now in 4th week

New Delhi, Nov 2: In continuation of the Israel-Gaza conflict, the 28th day marks four weeks of intense clashes and escalating hostilities. The region has been gripped by continuous explosions, air raids, widespread property destruction, and tremors caused by underground blasts, with bright flames illuminating the horizon.
The Israeli military has reported to have taken out dozens of militants affiliated with Hamas, effectively breaching the group's defensive lines. According to Israel's military spokesperson, with support from air and naval forces, Israeli troops have successfully penetrated Hamas's front lines of defence in northern Gaza, advancing close to the outskirts of Gaza City.

Prior to this advance, Israeli authorities had issued warnings for a nearby hospital to evacuate immediately due to the intensifying conflict. However, hospital officials, the United Nations Office of UNRAW and other humanitarian organisations expressed concerns, contending that evacuation was impossible and would put the lives of vulnerable patients at risk.
The Gaza Health Ministry has reported that the death toll has now exceeded 9,000 people since the conflict's eruption on October 7th.
Meanwhile, Thursday saw a second group of civilians, predominantly foreigners, departing from Gaza through the Rafah crossing. The exact numbers who left are yet to be confirmed officially. The United Nations has disclosed that over 400 individuals utilized the crossing on the previous day, marking a crucial lifeline for those seeking to escape the conflict zone.

The Israel-Gaza conflict, which began in the wake of the Hamas attacks on October 7th that claimed the lives of 1,400 Israeli people and led to the kidnapping of 239 individuals as hostages,
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has reported that more than 20,000 injured individuals remain trapped in the Gaza Strip, adding to the dire humanitarian situation in the region.
On Wednesday, Egyptian officials facilitated the passage of nearly 400 foreigners or dual-nationals, along with 76 severely wounded and ill patients, through the Rafah crossing for urgent medical treatment. Ambulances were observed transporting these evacuees to Egyptian field hospitals.
Despite these efforts, MSF is urgently calling for a more extensive evacuation plan and a ceasefire to be enacted. They also stress the need for increased critical aid delivery to Gaza, where mounting concerns over an increasing humanitarian crisis loom large.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has issued alarming reports as the Israeli ground operations and relentless bombardments persist in northern Gaza. OCHA emphasized that one of the gravest incidents involved heavy airstrikes striking the Jabalia Refugee Camp for the second consecutive day, occurring within less than 24 hours. These devastating strikes have resulted in the destruction of numerous residential buildings and the loss of "dozens" of lives, according to OCHA.

Gaza's primary cancer treatment facility, the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, has been compelled to halt most of its critical activities due to a fuel shortage. This dire situation puts the lives of approximately 70 cancer patients in immediate jeopardy, as highlighted by OCHA on a social media platform. Currently, 14 out of 35 hospitals across Gaza are non-operational.
The situation in Gaza City and northern Gaza has worsened as these areas have become "largely cut off" from the rest of the strip due to Israeli ground operations and ongoing clashes with Palestinian armed groups.

"I was shocked by the fact that everyone there was asking for food, was asking for water," remarked Philippe Lazzarini, the highest-ranking United Nations official granted access to Gaza yesterday since the conflict began, said to the media.
Israel's Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, disclosed that the Israeli military has unleashed over 10,000 munitions on Gaza City since the commencement of the current conflict. Their military objective is focused on "eliminating Hamas."

Meanwhile, media reported that official representatives from Thailand have initiated direct negotiations with Hamas, seeking the release of their citizens. It is believed that at least 19 Thai farm workers were abducted in southern Israel on October 7th, with numerous others still unaccounted for. Thailand employs more than 25,000 individuals in various roles on farms and orchards in Israel, forming a vital part of the foreign farm labour workforce in the country.