As Israel intensified airstrikes on the Gaza Strip during ceasefire talks, Gaza's civil defense agency reports Israeli strikes on the territory killed 17 people on Saturday alone, including seven at a UN school housing displaced people.
The Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza was once again targeted by Israel, with a residential building leveled Thursday, leaving a trail of devastation. More than 30 Palestinians were killed and dozens were wounded, with most of them being women and children.
The targeted residential neighborhood was inhabited by hundreds of civilians, many of whom were buried under the rubble of destroyed houses. Their homes now turned into graves.
"We have not been able to pull my family out yet. My brother Ashraf, his wife and their two children are still beneath the rubble, and we are still digging to reach them. All the injured except my brother and his families have been pulled out since nine o'clock last night. It was all in vain," said Mohammed Abu Shawish, brother of the victims.
Israel's continued assault throughout the Gaza Strip has had a massive humanitarian impact on both civilians and medical staff.
Saeed Gouda, northern Gaza's only orthopedic doctor, was recently killed by Israeli forces after being shot in the head.
"Hospitals cannot receive such a large number of injured people. The healthcare system and infrastructure have collapsed because the occupying army has closed all crossings and is preventing the entry of medicine and other crucial medical supplies," said Dr. Khalil Al-Dakran, a medical worker at the Al-Aqsa Hospital.
As officials from Washington signal progress in ceasefire talks and hint at the imminent establishment of a truce, Israeli actions are contrary to this rhetoric.
Days ago, 15 Palestinians, who were securing the arrival of aid trucks at shelters in southern Gaza, were killed by Israeli troops.
"We've noticed a trend. The closer we come to an agreement, the more intense Israel's attacks become. They carry out more assaults, and they target civilians more frequently. All of this happens while the outside conversation in the Arab world and international community is about to reach peace," said Alaa Hassan, a displaced Palestinian.
The continued closure of Gaza's crossings, which ultimately restricts the arrival of humanitarian aid, has created unthinkable conditions for Palestinians, which are inhumane and built on Israeli war crimes.
Over the past over 430 days since the outbreak of the current conflict in October last year, over 44,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, most of whom have been women and children.
Israel keeps up airstrikes on Gaza as ceasefire talks continue
Israel keeps up airstrikes on Gaza as ceasefire talks continue
