The health authorities in Gaza have reported a devastating increase in casualties since the conflict began, with the death toll now exceeding 40,000 and injuries surpassing 92,000.
This grim milestone was confirmed in a statement from the health officials, who noted that in the past 24 hours alone, the Israeli military had conducted three attacks on civilian areas, resulting in 40 deaths and 107 injuries.
The statement also highlighted that some victims remain trapped under rubble or in inaccessible areas, complicating rescue efforts.
Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, described this day as a “dark turning point for the world” following the escalation of casualties in Gaza.
Most of the victims are reported to be women and children. Turk held the Israeli military accountable for the crisis, criticizing the scale of destruction inflicted on homes, hospitals, schools, and places of worship.
Turk emphasized that international humanitarian law mandates the utmost protection for civilians and civilian infrastructure.
He urged all parties to agree on an immediate ceasefire, lay down arms, release hostages, and free Palestinians held arbitrarily. He also called for an end to the illegal Israeli occupation and for making the internationally agreed-upon two-state solution a reality.
In related news, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned the bombing of the “Al-Tabe’in” school in Gaza, highlighting the lack of safe spaces for Palestinians.
He described the situation in Gaza as “devastating” and urged both Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate a settlement urgently. Lammy encouraged constructive engagement in ongoing talks in Doha.
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported an unprecedented level of demand for its shelters, with 90% of Gaza’s population seeking refuge with the agency during the conflict.
Juliet Toma, UNRWA’s Communications Director, explained that the agency had initially planned to accommodate 150,000 people but was overwhelmed by the influx, with nearly one million individuals seeking shelter in around 150 overcrowded facilities.
