Nine people have been killed in recent Israeli air strikes in Gaza, according to the territory’s civil defence agency, including three children. The strikes follow a period of heightened conflict, including previous attacks that resulted in 32 deaths, also including children.
Recent Events in Gaza
Israel’s military stated the strikes were initiated after gunfire targeted its troops, wounding an officer. The civil defence agency, which functions as a rescue force in Gaza, reported that at least 31 others were injured in addition to the nine fatalities. Damage from Saturday’s attacks included the complete destruction of a unit within an apartment building in Gaza City’s Rimal neighbourhood, and a strike on a police station in the Sheikh Radwan district, Gaza City’s largest urban centre.
The recent events occur against a backdrop of limited access to and from Gaza. The Rafah crossing with Egypt, which had been closed for most of the war, reopened on Monday as part of the first phase of a ceasefire agreed to in October.
Medical Evacuations Resume
Yesterday, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported the first medical evacuations through the Rafah crossing. WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier stated that on February 2nd, the organization and its partners facilitated the transfer of five patients and seven companions to Egypt. However, over 18,000 patients are still awaiting evacuation after a two-year period of conflict.
Further escalation of violence could hinder these limited humanitarian efforts and potentially lead to a complete closure of the Rafah crossing once again. Alternatively, continued adherence to the ceasefire agreement could allow for a gradual increase in the number of patients evacuated and the delivery of essential aid. A possible next step could involve expanding the scope of the ceasefire to include broader humanitarian access and a more sustained period of calm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the recent Israeli strikes?
Israel’s military said it struck after gunfire targeting its troops wounded an officer.
How many patients are currently awaiting medical evacuation from Gaza?
Over 18,000 patients are awaiting evacuations after the two-year war, according to a World Health Organization official.
When did the Rafah crossing reopen?
The Rafah crossing, the sole route in or out for nearly all Gaza’s more than 2 million inhabitants, reopened on Monday as part of the first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas agreed in October.
What impact will these events have on the long-term stability of the region?
