Image Credits - Hindustan Times
In a devastating development, the Gaza Civil Defense Authority reported that around 300 people have been killed this year—in the southern city of Khan Younis after the nine-day offensive of the Israeli army. The grim summary includes a significant number of decomposed bodies found in the rubble, underscoring the intense destruction caused by the attack.
Emergency services shared the tragic news on Telegram and emphasized the ongoing efforts to find and rescue the missing people amid the chaos. “Our teams continue to search for missing people,” the agency said, highlighting the dire situation. The statement also revealed that 31 houses were bombed while they were still occupied by Palestinians, increasing the death toll.
The severity of the abuse has shaken the local community and many residents are struggling to cope with the loss of loved ones and the destruction of their homes. The devastation prompted urgent humanitarian aid and intervention to prevent further casualties.
In a related announcement, the Gaza government media office said earlier that at least 255 people were killed in the ground attack. The discrepancy between the figures provided by the Civil Defense and the government media office raised concerns and questions about the accuracy and consistency of the information provided. It is still not clear why there are differences in the number of victims.
Israel’s military incursion into Khan Younis is part of a wider escalation of the conflict, which has increased hostilities between Israeli and Palestinian militias. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that their operations target extremists and infrastructure in response to rocket attacks and other hostile activities from the Gaza Strip.
However, serious civilian casualties and widespread destruction of residential areas have drawn sharp criticism from international observers and human rights organizations. They called for a ceasefire and urged both sides to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict.
The situation in the Gaza Strip remains tense and volatile, with the local population bearing the brunt of the violence. Humanitarian agencies have warned of a looming crisis as ongoing hostilities exacerbate existing challenges, including shortages of medical supplies, food and clean water.
As search and rescue continues in Khan Younis, the true extent of the destruction is gradually becoming apparent. The international community is watching and hoping that the bloodshed will end and peace and stability will be restored to the region.