Palestinian losses soar to 2,808 martyrs as Israeli brutality mounts
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The number of Palestinian martyrs continues to increase as the Israeli occupation's brutality mounts, with an increased targeting of residential areas.
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Wounded Palestinians arrive at al-Shifa hospital, following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, central Gaza Strip, occupied Palestine, October 16, 2023 (AP)
The number of Palestinians killed by the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has reached 2,808 martyrs, with nearly 10,000 others wounded, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Monday.
The Ministry of Health published the tally of the 10th consecutive day of Israeli aggression revealing that 254 Palestinians were martyred over the past 24 hours, with 562 others wounded.
The Palestinian government's media office pointed out that 64% of the martyrs were women and children, clarifying that women comprised 936 of the martyrs, while 853 of the martyrs were children.
Furthermore, the aggression has resulted in the martyrdom of 37 medical personnel, including doctors, paramedics, nurses, and 127 employees from the education sector.
371 massacres against Palestinian families have been recorded since the beginning of the aggression, during which their homes were destroyed over their heads without prior warning or notice.
In the span of only 10 days, "Israel" committed 371 massacres in #Gaza. This isn't merely a statistic; it signifies the tragic loss of countless innocent #Palestinian lives as among the victims are entire families, including fathers, mothers, and children. pic.twitter.com/FLvcm54GIp
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 16, 2023
This act of aggression alone martyred 1,981 people, the majority of whom were children and women. Whole families were wiped off the civil registries, such as the Shehab, al-Najjar, al-Muqarinah, Nawfal, and al-Dalu families.
The number of martyrs in these massacres varies, with some having as few as 3 martyrs, such as the Radwan, Abu al-Reesh, and Alwan families, and some as high as 42 martyrs, such as the al-Najjar family massacre.
The Ministry revealed that this large number of massacres in such a short period of time reveals the brutality and criminality of the occupation and highlights the failure of the international community to respond to these massacres committed against innocent civilians.
Unprecedented destruction
Jawad al-Agha, the Deputy Minister of Public Works and Housing in the Gaza Strip, confirmed that the current level of destruction exceeds all Israeli attacks since 2008.
Many neighborhoods have been completely destroyed in the Gaza Strip, with 10,500 residential units destroyed.
Additionally, the government's media office reported that buildings in Gaza suffered extensive damage, stating that the occupation demolished 3,731 residential buildings, with nearly 10,000 residential units having been partially damaged, with 7,100 residential units rendered uninhabitable.
The aggression also targeted schools, leading to the closure of 18 schools due to significant damage, and 150 schools suffered varying degrees of damage.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has confirmed that their centers in southern Gaza have received approximately 400,000 displaced people, with the agency estimating that there are over one million displaced people in total.
UNRWA emphasized that the level of destruction in the Gaza Strip is unparalleled and that the needs of the displaced population surpass their capacities. Additionally, the agency warned of the severe health risks faced by the people of Gaza, who are forced to consume contaminated water.
It also stated that the power stations ceased to function, leaving people in the darkness since the beginning of the ongoing aggression. These statements from UNRWA coincide with the ongoing bombing campaign that has been continuous for ten days.
Government continues to provide aid
The government revealed that official rescue crews have been working on strengthening the resilience of citizens in the targeted areas by distributing urgent relief supplies through local committees. They have also operated a large number of bakeries and provided the necessary flour and fuel to local communities.
Rescue crews and municipalities are still working on clearing rubble from the roads and maintaining damaged water wells.
The Israeli occupation targeted the main roads in the Gaza Strip and launched intensive smoke bombs in the northern part of it. Shelling that targeted the central governorate in the Strip resulted in two martyrs and several injuries.
Our correspondent reported airstrikes on the Nuseirat camp and heavily populated areas in Khan Yunis. A house in the city that was sheltering displaced people from the north of the Strip was targeted, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of all inside.
The continuous and violent Israeli airstrikes on Khan Yunis coincided with artillery shelling. The shelling on the al-Amal neighborhood resulted in the martyrdom of one person and several injuries, while search operations are underway for those missing under the rubble.
In light of the lack of equipment and vehicles, many of which have been out of service for years, the Palestinian Civil Defense General Directorate held the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) legally and humanely responsible for not supporting the Civil Defense in Gaza.
"Israel" targeted a civil defense crew on its way to save the injured in #Gaza resulting in deaths and injuries.#Palestine #GazaUnderAttack #GazaGenocide pic.twitter.com/Zak1JztOEJ
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 16, 2023
The Directorate stressed that the continuation of the Israeli aggression threatens a real catastrophe, resulting in the inability of its teams to fulfill their duty toward the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
The statement called for opening crossings and providing the necessary humanitarian supplies to the citizens, supporting and providing the Civil Defense teams with equipment and devices, and supplying them with fuel to continue their lifesaving services.
The Directorate appealed to the "free world and our brothers in the Arab countries, especially Egypt," to provide firefighting and rescue vehicles, as well as life-detection devices for searching for human subjects under rubble.
It also emphasized the urgent need for heavy equipment, devices, and breathing masks.
The Ministry of Agriculture is also working to ensure the continuity of agricultural production, as well as providing food for citizens in all governorates in partnership with all government bodies and those related to the agricultural sector.
