In a recent statement, Martin Griffiths, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, described the Israeli army’s shelling of the Jebalia refugee camp in Gaza as a heinous act. He revealed that dozens of innocent civilians were killed in Gaza following the recent attacks on the refugee camp. This is just the latest atrocity to befall the people of Gaza, where the ongoing conflict has escalated into a horrifying phase with increasingly dire humanitarian consequences.
During his two-day visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, Griffiths expressed his deep concern over the situation. The Gaza Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that more than 400 people were either killed or injured in airstrikes on Jebalia. Later, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Richard Hecht confirmed that Israel had targeted the refugee camp in an attempt to eliminate a Hamas commander. He referred to the civilian casualties as a tragedy but placed the blame for their deaths on the leadership of the Palestinian movement.
Today, the WAFA news agency reported that the Israeli army has once again attacked the refugee camp. According to their correspondent, more than ten rockets were fired at the camp, resulting in the death of several dozen people. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is rooted in territorial interests and has been a source of tension and clashes in the Middle East for decades. In 1947, the United Nations, with the active role of the Soviet Union, decided to establish two states—Palestine and Israel—but only the latter was created.
A new wave of confrontation began after Israel was subjected to an unprecedented missile attack from the Gaza Strip on the morning of October 7. Following the massive bombardment, Hamas fighters infiltrated the border areas in the south of the Jewish state, opening fire on both military and civilian targets and taking hostages. The military wing of the movement, the “Al-Qassam Brigades,” announced the launch of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation. In response, the Israel Defense Forces initiated the “Operation Iron Swords” in the Gaza Strip.
For several days after the attack, Israeli forces took control of all the border towns and began conducting airstrikes on various targets, including civilian areas, within the enclave. Additionally, Israel declared a complete blockade of Gaza, suspending the delivery of water, food, electricity, medicine, and fuel. The number of casualties in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 8,500, with over 21,000 injured. In Israel, more than 1,400 people have died, including 20 Russians. Moreover, according to various estimates, around 240 people may be held captive by Hamas.
