Israeli warplanes struck fleeing Palestinians after evacuation calls

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Oct 2023 03:21
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Hamas' media office reported that cars were struck as they headed south from Gaza City.

Palestinians fleeing from northern Gaza to the south, Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. (AP)

Hamas’ media office said warplanes struck cars fleeing south, killing more than 70 people.

Hamas called on people to disregard the evacuation warning in protest of the Israeli agenda. On that note, medical personnel at hospitals refused to leave, expressing their inability to leave behind patients in need.

This comes after the Israeli occupation army said in a statement that 1.1 million people living in northern Gaza must evacuate within the next 24 hours, hinting at plans to start a much-feared ground invasion of the devastated Strip that has been under nonstop bombing since last Saturday.

Responding to the Israeli announcement, earlier, the United Nations warned that this order would be "impossible" to take place, sounding the alarm on "devastating humanitarian consequences.”

"The United Nations strongly appeals for any such order, if confirmed, to be rescinded avoiding what could transform what is already a tragedy into a calamitous situation," the UN said in a statement.

Not even drinking water

Continuous Israeli airstrikes throughout the past week have devastated extensive residential areas, exacerbating the dire situation in Gaza. The region remains cut off from essential resources such as food, water, and medical supplies, all while enduring a near-complete power outage.

The number of forcefully displaced people in Gaza had risen by an additional 84,444 people and reached 423,378, the UN humanitarian agency OCHA said in a statement sent on Friday.

As a result of the continued unprecedented Israeli aggression, "most residents in the Gaza Strip no longer have access to drinking water from service providers or domestic water through pipelines," OCHA said. "UNICEF reports some have already begun drinking seawater" in response to the lack of clean water, it added.

The agency also stressed that "health facilities are overwhelmed, medical stocks are in short supply and access to hospitals and medical care is being hindered by the ongoing hostilities and damaged roads." Furthermore, nearly 5,500 women in Gaza who are expected to give birth in the coming month are "struggling to access essential health services as healthcare workers, hospitals and clinics come under attack."

Palestinian Health Ministry Spokesperson Ashraf al-Qudra told Al Mayadeen on Thursday that Gaza is only a few hours away from essential services completely shutting down, and the health sector is collapsing.

"The patients and wounded in Gaza's hospitals are laying on the floor as there are no beds in the ICU units, with patients piling up in front of the operation rooms," the health official added.

At least 1,900 martyrs, 7,696 injured in Gaza

On another note, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has called for an immediate cessation of the actions by the occupying forces, which have resulted in 1,900 fatalities, including 614 children and 370 women, along with injuries to 7,696 individuals, including 2,000 children and 1,400 women.

The ministry expressed that the occupation had deceived the population, compelling them to evacuate, only to further intensify their actions and cause the death and injury of 200 citizens, including both martyrs and the wounded.

"We demand an immediate halt to the crimes of the occupation, which claimed the lives of 1,900 martyrs, including 614 children and 370 women, and injured 7,696 citizens with various injuries, including 2,000 children and 1,400 women," a statement issued by the ministry read, adding that "the occupation deceived the citizens and forced them to flee, then doubled its crimes by targeting them, and claimed the lives of 200 citizens, including martyrs and wounded."