Conditions in Gaza akin to the 'depths of hell': Save the Children
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The British NGO has issued a dire warning about the worsening situation in Gaza, citing that "evacuation orders" might soon become "execution orders".
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Palestinian children wounded in the Israeli bombardment on a residential building in the al-Bureij refugee camp, are treated at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, June 4, 2024. (AP)
International organization Save the Children has described the situation in Gaza as equivalent to the "depths of hell," calling the attack against the besieged area a "war on children" since no one is safe.
The organization's Middle East regional director Jeremy Stoner expressed Monday that "what we're seeing now in Gaza looks like the depths of hell, with reports of attacks on children and families day after day."
"Nowhere is safe," he added in his statement.
The British NGO issued a dire warning about the worsening situation in Gaza, citing that "evacuation orders" might soon become "execution orders" as children suffer a serious lack of life-saving necessities.
Stoner also touched on the grave humanitarian disaster in Gaza, detailing how in the north, Palestinians had been without food for two weeks and stuck in a deadly zone attempting to flee incessant bombardment and shelling.
In the south, where many families have taken refuge, Israeli airstrikes engulfed Al-Aqsa Hospital and tents in flames with some footage and reports uncovering remains of burned Palestinians.
Four Palestinians were killed and over 40 others were injured in the Israeli bombardment of makeshift tents set up by displaced Palestinians on the grounds of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
"Never has it been clearer that this is a war on children, their protection only upheld if they're deemed a risk to those beyond their borders," the statement said.
It further stated that Save the Children has launched a second round of polio immunizations for children in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, where "children face bombs and fire just 500 meters away."
Stoner also emphasized the necessity for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, stating that the lack of one means that immunizations for children only postpone rather than eliminate their suffering.
He warned that if no global action was taken, families in Gaza, particularly children, "face a death sentence- today, tomorrow, in a week, in a month, by bombs, bullets, fire, disease or starvation. Anywhere, any time."
Stoner expressed further worries about humanity's moral compass, noting that those with the authority and legal obligation to address this violence choose to remain passive. He lamented that some states have instead provided weapons that are being used to kill children and incinerate patients and families in hospitals and makeshift shelters.
“Gaza is what can happen without the rules of war. Except there are rules – for parties to the conflict, and for the international community – which are not being respected,” Save the Children noted.
'Israel' besieges Jabalia amid displacement and killings
Invading Israeli forces intensified their siege of Jabalia in northern Gaza on Tuesday, resulting in the killing of at least seven individuals and forcing a new wave of displacement. For approximately 11 days, Jabalia has been the target of a brutal Israeli offensive, with invading troops now surrounding the camp and deploying tanks to the nearby towns of Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun.
Jabalia is one of the eight historic refugee camps in the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported that seven Palestinians, including children, were killed and subsequently brought to Kamal Adwan Medical Hospital. This massacre occurred after they were besieged and shelled by the invading army in the al-Falouja area, located west of the Jabalia camp in northern Gaza.
Northern Gaza is being destroyed!!
— yusuf 🇵🇸 (@ysuf39) October 14, 2024
Be the voice of Northern Gaza!!#SaveNorthernGaza#JabaliaGenocide#FreePalestine pic.twitter.com/PG5WoQnLoa
The Civil Defense announced that many victims remained trapped under the rubble and that rescuers were unable to reach them. They also reported that "the teams are trapped with civilians in northern Gaza," stressing that "the occupation army continues to target them with drones, obstructing their access to the injured."
In the southwest of Gaza City, the Civil Defense retrieved the remains of two martyrs, one of whom was torn to pieces, and search efforts continue for 12 individuals still missing under the rubble in the industrial area of Tel al-Hawa.
