GAZA: The health ministry in the besieged Gaza Strip reported on Saturday that the death toll in the Palestinian territory has exceeded 32,142, with the majority being women and children, in over five months of relentless Israeli bombardment since October of the last year.
According to a statement released by the ministry, the toll includes at least 72 fatalities within the past 24 hours alone, with a staggering 74,412 persons sustaining injuries in the Gaza Strip since October 7.
Tragically, the violence continued unabated as Israeli forces targeted an aid distribution point in the territory’s north, resulting in further loss of life and casualties. The health ministry disclosed that at least nine people were killed and several others wounded by Israeli tank fire and shells while awaiting aid trucks at the Kuwait roundabout on the outskirts of Gaza City.
The incident underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by relentless Israeli military actions and restrictions on access to essential supplies and aid. The attack on civilians gathered for assistance highlights the perilous conditions faced by residents amid the protracted conflict.
UN Chief Urges Immediate Gaza Ceasefire
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday urged for an immediate ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid at the Rafah crossing, the gateway to Gaza, during his visit to the region. Standing on the Egyptian side of the crossing, Guterres highlighted the dire humanitarian situation faced by Palestinians in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need to end the ongoing suffering.
Guterres expressed deep concern over the relentless nightmare endured by the people of Gaza, particularly children, women, and men, who are trapped in a cycle of violence and deprivation. He condemned the devastation inflicted upon communities, including the destruction of homes and the loss of countless lives, stressing that such collective punishment of the Palestinian people is unjustifiable.
Speaking against the backdrop of aid trucks entering Gaza through the Rafah crossing, Guterres painted a stark picture of blocked relief efforts and the looming threat of starvation facing the population. He denounced this situation as a moral outrage and emphasized the urgent need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
The UN chief called on Israel to grant unfettered access for humanitarian goods throughout Gaza, underscoring the critical importance of delivering aid to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. Guterres also appealed for the immediate release of all hostages captured during the October attacks.
