UN says end of ceasefire 'nightmare' for people in Gaza

The UN has characterized the resumption of hostilities between Israel and Hamas as the dreaded nightmare that had been anticipated by all. The temporary ceasefire, which lapsed on Friday, witnessed a blame game between the conflicting parties as they held each other responsible for the renewal of fighting.

The Gaza Strip, under the administration of Hamas, reported over 100 casualties since the cessation of the temporary truce. Unicef’s spokesperson, James Elder, conveyed the catastrophic impact on the people of Gaza, highlighting the overwhelmed state of hospitals grappling with an influx of war-related injuries. Nasser Hospital, the largest functional facility in Gaza, was described as bursting at the seams with children and individuals recovering from the aftermath of the previous attacks, with families resorting to sleeping on mattresses within the hospital premises for weeks.

Mr. Elder vividly painted a grim picture of the situation, emphasizing the hospital’s inability to cope with a surge in battlefield injuries, particularly those afflicting children with burns and horrendous shrapnel wounds. Other UN aid agencies echoed similar concerns, detailing dire conditions at various hospitals across Gaza.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) asserted that Hamas breached the terms of the temporary ceasefire by initiating fire against Israel, thereby instigating the resumption of hostilities. The IDF spokesperson informed that Hamas also violated the agreement concerning hostages by failing to release all women and children in its custody. In contrast, Hamas placed the blame on Israel, contending that it rejected multiple offers for the release of hostages.

Israel responded with air strikes in southern Gaza, a region where hundreds of thousands had sought refuge from the conflict in the north earlier in the war. IDF-distributed leaflets warned of Khan Younis being a dangerous combat zone, advising residents in certain areas to seek shelter further south. Simultaneously, rockets launched from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defense system.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensified, with reports from residents sleeping in tents describing the challenges of coping with cold weather and the severe shortage of water, food, and medicine in hospitals. Marwa Saleh, a civilian seeking refuge, emphasized her detachment from the war, expressing the fervent desire to avoid loss of life.

According to the Hamas-run health ministry, the death toll since Israel initiated its campaign against Hamas in Gaza exceeds 14,800, including approximately 6,000 children. The conflict originated when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, resulting in casualties and hostage situations, with recent developments involving the release of over 100 hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails over the past week.