Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that over 40,000 Palestinians have died in Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023.
The devastating impact on civilians has drawn international attention and prompted renewed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
Dr. Bara Zuhaili, a US-based vascular surgeon who recently returned from Gaza, described the conditions he encountered while in Gaza. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Dr. Zuhaili recounted, “In the two weeks I spent in Gaza, I’ve done everything except save legs and arms. I was amputating legs and arms to save lives. And that by itself is really bad.” He added, “Even worse … 80 percent of the amputations I did were on kids. And when I say kids, I don’t mean kids under 18. I mean kids who are under the age of eight.”
The Gaza Health Ministry has reported that over 16,400 children have been killed since the conflict began.
In response to the crisis, international mediators have resumed talks in Doha, Qatar. Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, stated that efforts from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States are focused on achieving a ceasefire. According to Qatar News Agency (QNA), al-Ansari emphasized, “The mediators are resolute in their commitment to move forward in their endeavours to reach a ceasefire in the Strip that would facilitate the release of hostages and enable the entry of the largest possible amount of humanitarian aid into Gaza.”
The ceasefire negotiations, which are based on a proposal presented by US President Joe Biden in late May 2024, have been described as serious and constructive. A joint statement by the mediators noted that the talks have “narrowed the gaps between the parties” and are consistent with President Biden’s principles and Security Council Resolution 2735.
The statement added: “There is no more time to waste and no excuses for further delay that can be accepted by any party. It is time to release the hostages and detainees, to begin the ceasefire, and to implement this agreement.”
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have issued new evacuation orders for southern Gaza, including areas previously designated as “humanitarian safe zones.”
The US, UK, and EU condemned a deadly attack by Israeli settlers in Jit, located in the occupied West Bank, and airstrikes in Al-Mawasi, a zone previously marked for safety, which resulted in the deaths of two Palestinians. Hamas has called for residents to rise in defense of their homes.
The conflict has resulted in at least 40,005 deaths and 92,401 injuries in Gaza, with 1,139 fatalities and over 200 captives reported in Israel due to Hamas-led attacks on October 7. The UN’s head of the agency for Palestinian refugees has described the crossing of the 40,000 death mark as a “very grim milestone,” attributing it to a collective failure to reach a ceasefire.
With continued diplomatic efforts in Doha and planned meetings in Cairo, the international community remains hopeful for a ceasefire and an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
