Israeli strikes claim 71 lives, including Gaza police chief

In the last 24 hours, Israel conducted a series of strikes in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 71 Palestinians. This marked one of the deadliest days in the recent conflict. Among the attacks, one particularly devastating strike targeted a large tent camp in Al Mawasi, a designated 'humanitarian zone' for displaced individuals. The assault killed 11 people, including the chief of Gaza's police, Mahmoud Salah, and his deputy, Hussam Shahwan, who were reportedly visiting the camp to check on civilian conditions. The Israeli military confirmed this strike, asserting that Shahwan was leading Hamas security forces in southern Gaza. Furthermore, the Israeli forces also targeted the interior ministry office in Khan Younis, causing at least six additional fatalities. Other locations hit included Jabalia refugee camp, Shati beach camp, central Gaza's Maghazi camp, and Gaza City. As the conflict continues, the situation for the Palestinian population in Gaza becomes increasingly dire. The war has led to over 45,500 Palestinian deaths since its onset, which coincided with a Hamas attack on southern Israel resulting in almost 1,200 casualties and multiple hostages taken. More than 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been displaced, leaving them in makeshift shelters. The UN reports that around 1.6 million people endure unfavorable living conditions, with many in areas prone to flooding. The humanitarian crisis is compounded by the limited movement of medical patients seeking urgent treatment abroad. According to the head of the World Health Organization, only a small fraction of patients have been permitted to leave Gaza for care. Since the commencement of hostilities, the agency facilitated the travel of 5,383 patients, yet nearly 12,000 remain awaiting approval. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the growing challenges in evacuation, indicating that it could take years to relocate critically ill patients, including many children, in a worsening situation. He urged Israeli authorities to improve the approval rates for these medical evacuations. The war, marked by frequent and deadly attacks, has had a devastating impact on the already fragile infrastructure of Gaza. The ongoing violence and military actions have led to significant casualties among civilians, further intensifying the suffering of those caught in the conflict. The response from Gaza's interior ministry condemned the assassination of their police chief as an act that would only deepen chaos and human suffering. With both sides taking aggressive actions, the prospects for peace or resolution appear increasingly distant amid the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.