Palestine-Israel Crisis: Day 39 Highlights

Israel’s war on Gaza: Day 39 highlights

 Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza

• Intensified Attacks: Israeli airstrikes have increased across Gaza, causing extensive damage to healthcare facilities.
• The main cardiac ward at Gaza’s largest hospital has been destroyed.
• Refugee Camps and Towns Under Siege: Jabalia refugee camp and Khan Younis face relentless bombardment.
• Rising Death Toll: In the last 24 hours, fatalities have surged to 50.
• Al-Shifa Hospital Crisis:
• Israeli forces are at the hospital’s gates, trapping hundreds of patients and staff.
• Power shortages have led to the deaths of 32 patients, including seven premature infants.
• Hospital Closures: The shutdown of al-Shifa and al-Quds hospitals has led to a healthcare emergency.
• Trapped Civilians and Staff:
• Israeli snipers near al-Shifa Hospital have trapped about 3,150 people inside, including patients and healthcare workers.
• Approximately 100 bodies are decomposing in the hospital’s courtyard.

Casualties and Infrastructure Damage

• Healthcare System Breakdown: 27 adults and seven infants have died as a direct result of attacks on healthcare facilities.
• Journalists at Risk: Palestinian journalist Ahmad Fatima, killed taking toll of journalists to 40.
• IDF Military Campaign: Over 4,300 attacks have been conducted against alleged militant infrastructure, destroying thousands of buildings.

Violence in West Bank

• Fatal Raids: Israeli forces killed an elderly Palestinian man during a raid in Hebron.
• Random Shootings: Witnesses report random firing at vehicles by Israeli soldiers, heightening tensions in the region.

International Response and Humanitarian Aid

• Global Condemnation: The U.N. and other international entities have lowered flags to half-mast for U.N. workers killed.
• Calls for Assistance: Palestinian Authority seeks emergency aid, specifically for the northern Gaza Strip.
• Turkish Aid Ship: A Turkish vessel is bringing supplies through Egypt’s port of El Arish to set up field hospitals.

European Union and United Nations Calls to Action

• Humanitarian Pauses: Urgent calls for ceasefire to facilitate fuel and medical supply deliveries.
• Protection of Hospitals: The EU condemns the use of medical facilities as military shields.
• UNRWA Fuel Crisis: The UN agency warns of severe impacts on healthcare and water sanitation services due to fuel shortage.

U.S. Involvement

• Bilateral Discussions: U.S. President Joe Biden emphasizes the need for the release of hostages held by Hamas.
• Military Strikes in Syria: The U.S. conducts airstrikes in response to attacks on American forces.

Casualty Figures

• Palestinian Losses: Over 11,180 Palestinians, including more than 7,700 children and women, have been killed.
• Israeli Losses: Nearly 1,200 Israelis have been reported dead.