Death toll reaches 10,000 with Gaza becoming a ‘graveyard for children’
Journalist breaks down on air reporting colleague’s death in Gaza
In a grim milestone, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 10,000, with over 4,100 of the victims being children, since Israeli retaliatory air strikes began. The intensity of these strikes in recent days has deepened the humanitarian crisis in the region.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his urgent plea for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. He called for an end to the escalating violence spreading from the occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, to Yemen.
Guterres stressed that international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of civilians and essential infrastructure, is being flagrantly violated.
He underscored that all parties involved in armed conflicts are bound by these laws. Additionally, he demanded the unconditional release of the hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7 attack.
As the conflict in Gaza reaches its one-month mark, the UN chief has sounded the alarm, characterising the situation in Gaza as “a crisis of humanity” and a “graveyard for children”.
The death toll and the escalating violence in the region underscore the urgent need for a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to this long-standing conflict.
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KEY EVENTS
Hamas chief denies targeting civilians in Israel
In an interview with the BBC, a senior Hamas leader, Moussa Abu Marzouk, refused to acknowledge that his group had killed civilians in Israel, claiming that only conscripts were targeted: “Women, children, and civilians are excluded” from Hamas attacks, he said. Marzouk claimed that Mohammed el-Deif, the leader of Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, had ordered his fighters to spare civilians: “El-Deif has clearly instructed his fighters not to kill women, children, and the elderly but to only target reservist soldiers and military personnel.” Regarding hostages, Marzouk said: “They cannot be released during Israeli bombings of Gaza. We will release them, but we must halt the fighting. Therefore, Hamas could realistically release the hostages only if the Israelis cease hostilities so they can be handed over to the Red Cross.”
Israeli attack near Al-Quds Hospital
On Monday night, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launched an attack on Hamas militants who were housed in a building located near Al-Quds Hospital in the city of Gaza. Earlier, local health sources had reported the attack near the hospital. According to an army spokesperson, the attack was carried out from the air and resulted in secondary explosions in a nearby ammunition depot.
Israeli attack in Rafah, Hamas: ’20 Dead’
Rescue services in Gaza, the Palestinian enclave governed by Hamas, have reported that around 20 people were killed in an Israeli attack in Rafah, the southern locality of the Strip where Palestinians have sought refuge from Gaza City.
Netanyahu: ‘We’ll take control of Gaza’
Israel will maintain “overall security responsibility” in Gaza for an “indefinite period” following the war, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with ABC News. “We have seen what happens when we don’t have it,” he added, “meaning the explosion of Hamas terror on a scale we could not imagine.”
Good morning
Good morning from London. I’m Alessandra Scotto di Santolo, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on the war in Israel. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.
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