After six months of relentless conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, the region is reeling from an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The Palestinian government's information office has released a damning report detailing the extensive casualties and devastation caused by the ongoing violence.
Since the start of the conflict on October 7th of last year, Israeli airstrikes and ground attacks have resulted in a staggering 32,623 fatalities in Gaza. Shockingly, among the deceased are 14,350 children, with an additional 28 children succumbing to starvation and malnutrition. The toll on women is also severe, with 9,460 female casualties.
The brutality of the conflict extends beyond loss of life, with over 75,000 individuals sustaining injuries, most of whom are Gazan residents. The report highlights the dire situation facing medical personnel, with more than 364 healthcare workers and 48 members of the rescue force losing their lives in the line of duty.
Journalists have not been spared from the violence, with 136 media professionals falling victim to the conflict. Additionally, 17,000 children have been orphaned, and tens of thousands of individuals require urgent medical treatment, including cancer patients and pregnant women.
The destruction wrought by Israeli attacks is extensive, with 168 government buildings, 100 schools and universities, and 227 mosques completely destroyed. Another 294 mosques sustained partial damage, along with 200 historical and ancient buildings. Over 290,000 residential structures have been rendered uninhabitable, displacing two million Gaza residents.
Critical infrastructure, including hospitals and medical centers, has been decimated, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. With 32 hospitals and 53 medical centers completely unserviceable, access to healthcare has become increasingly limited for Gaza's population.
The report paints a grim picture of the ongoing conflict, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention to address the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza. As the violence persists, efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire and provide essential aid to the affected population are more crucial than ever.
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