Israel Bombs Gaza City Hospital as Palestinians’ Death Toll Surpasses 40,700

Sat Aug 31 2024
author image
Monitoring Desk
Gaza, Al-Ahli Hospital, Israel, Rafah, Palestinian, Health Ministry, UN, ICJ, Genocide
icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp

GAZA CITY: An Israeli airstrike targeted the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in northern Gaza City on Saturday, resulting in at least three deaths and dozens of injuries, the Palestinian Civil Defence said, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory.

The airstrike struck the hospital’s vicinity, causing widespread panic among patients and residents. People were fleeing the area and emergency medical staff was struggling to attend to the wounded patients.

Saturday’s attack is part of a broader pattern of Israeli attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza. The al-Ahli Arab Hospital had previously been struck during the early stages of the ongoing Israeli bombardment campaign, leading to significant casualties as people sought refuge within its grounds.

The Gaza Health Ministry condemned the latest attack, describing it as part of a series of deliberate assaults on medical facilities. The ministry issued a statement urging international and UN bodies to protect hospitals and medical personnel from “brutal” attacks by Israeli forces.

The ongoing Israeli military campaign since October 7, 2023, has resulted in a large number of Palestinian casualties. The death toll in Gaza has now risen to nearly 40,700, mostly women and children, with 94,060 people reported injured, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Over the past two days alone, Israeli forces have killed 89 Palestinians and injured 205 others in what the ministry described as “massacres” against families.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine exacerbating the crisis. The United Nations Security Council’s recent resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire has yet to be implemented, with Israeli operations persisting despite international pressure.

Israel is currently facing accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered a halt to military operations in Rafah, a southern city where over one million Palestinians had sought refuge before it was invaded on May 6.

The dire conditions in Gaza are compounded by the blockade and continuous bombardment, leaving many victims trapped under rubble and rescue efforts hampered by the relentless fighting.

icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp
Hezbollah, Israel, Lebanon, Beirut, Golan Heights, Defence Minister, Palestinians, Gaza, Border

Hezbollah Warns Israel Against Lebanon Border Escalation
Mexico, Jilotzingo, Landslide, Heavy Rains, Emergency Services, Hospital, Mexico City

Child Killed, Several Trapped After Central Mexico Landslide
International Muslim Women’s Union, KIIR, AHRAAM, Kashmir dispute, Kashmiri women, Women in Conflicts, Geneva,

Speakers at Global Seminar Highlights Plight of Kashmiri Women in IIOJK

Latest

Hezbollah, Israel, Lebanon, Beirut, Golan Heights, Defence Minister, Palestinians, Gaza, Border

Hezbollah Warns Israel Against Lebanon Border Escalation
Mexico, Jilotzingo, Landslide, Heavy Rains, Emergency Services, Hospital, Mexico City

Child Killed, Several Trapped After Central Mexico Landslide
Quetta, Congo Virus, Balochistan, Pakistan, Virus, Fatima Jinnah Hospital, NIH, Health Advisories

Pakistan’s Quetta Reports Two Congo Virus Related Deaths
International Muslim Women’s Union, KIIR, AHRAAM, Kashmir dispute, Kashmiri women, Women in Conflicts, Geneva,

Speakers at Global Seminar Highlights Plight of Kashmiri Women in IIOJK
PM Shehbaz, Pakistan Navy, Drug Smuggling, Arabian Sea, PNS ASLAT, Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif,

Pakistan’s PM Calls Cabinet Meeting to Approve Constitutional Amendment Draft

Videos

Flooding, crisis, Nigeria.

Severe Flooding Worsens Crisis in Nigeria
Harris, Gender Gap, Growing, Women, Propel, Victory

Gender Gap in US Elections: Will Women Boost Harris to Victory?
Harris

Early Polls Show Harris won Presidential Debate

Op-Ed

Indian, Film, Goat Life, Gulf States, Bharatiya Janata Party, Hindu, Hindutva, Bollywood,

Indian Film “Goat Life” Sparks Controversy and Backlash in Gulf States
Balochistan

Rampant Terrorism in Balochistan and Punjab
Afghanistan continues to pose multiple security threats to neighborly countries. Afghan interim government commonly known as the Taliban regime recently celebrated the third anniversary of their takeover of Kabul. Taliban’s speedy takeover and the quick meltdown of the Ashraf Ghani regime both are remembered as meaningful surprising events in the checkered history of Afghanistan. The subsequent withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan triggered numerous intriguing questions. The apparent hasty withdrawal of American forces though celebrated as a victory by the Taliban however it could not bring any stability to Afghanistan. Though withdrawal took place under Joe Biden’s watch, however, the grounds were prepared by the Trump administration prior to leaving the white house consequent to election defeat. The arrival of the Taliban in Kabul as an uncontested force on 15th Aug 2021 made the whole American campaign a shadowy affair stretched over almost two decades. Critiques are justified in questioning the outcome of such a lengthy military and political campaign orchestrated by the USA in Afghanistan. No satisfactory response has ever surfaced from the State Department and Pentagon sides about the quick meltdown of the Afghan National Army. It is obvious that the surprisingly expeditious winding up of the Ashraf Ghani regime further exposed the weaknesses of the whole American prescription applied to heal Afghanistan. The multiple damaging effects of the ill-conceived strategy on the war-torn society of Afghanistan are not too difficult to understand. Present-day Afghanistan is more polarized and unsettled under the Taliban’s unelected regime. The demolition of the political façade in August 2021 was not a sudden development but rather a much-expected outcome of the dubious Doha agreement. Analysts having fair insight into the Afghan dynamics were apprehensive about the American deal with the Taliban while Ashraf Ghani was very much present in the office of President. Simply put, the American direct agreement with the Taliban in Doha was actually the beginning of the end of Ashraf Ghani's regime. Bitterness in bilateral ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been constantly growing over the issue of cross-border terrorism. Against all the positive expectations of Islamabad, the interim Afghan government has not responded against the Khawarij which comprises the banned TTP and its numerous splinter groups. Ironically, the Taliban regime is providing all sorts of support to those Khawarij terrorists who are involved in attacks on Pakistani security forces, unarmed civilians and military installations. Facts and figures clearly reflect the alarming rise in cross-border terrorist attacks inside Pakistan after the arrival of the Taliban on Kabul’s throne. Pakistan has rightly questioned the liberty of action granted to the Khawarij terrorists on Afghan soil by the interim Taliban setup. These genuine security concerns have been conveyed to the Taliban regime through all available channels. Repeated engagements from the Pakistan side via diplomatic, political, religious and media channels, nothing positive could not gain any breakthrough in finishing the bloody cycle of terrorism. Growing security concerns gradually taking the shape of anger in Pakistan because huge losses to men and materials are crossing the limits of patience. Unwise rulers of Kabul are acting against the interests of a neighbor like Pakistan who always stood alongside Afghan brethren in hours of need. It seems that sympathizers of Khawarij (banned TTP) are now dominating the interim Afghan government and saner elements have lost their say in the decision-making process. Multiple reports released by the UN, EU and international watchdogs have revealed undeniable information about the active presence of global terrorist groups in Afghanistan. The Taliban regime is in denial mode and seems in a mood to continue with the present harmful policies. The loud arrogance of Taliban officials on the highly objectionable stance about cross-border terrorism is endangering regional peace. In a recent statement, the military chief of the interim Afghan government Qari Fasihuddin Fitrat has denied any presence of banned TTP elements in Afghanistan. This absurd denial is credible evidence of the Taliban’s contradicting stance about the presence of Khawarij (Banned TTP) on Afghan soil. How Qari Fasihullah Fitrat can ask for evidence of Khawarij’s existence while Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzadah urged Afghans through a fatwa to refrain from joining the terrorism spree of banned TTP against Pakistan last year. This unambiguous religious decree released by none other than the supreme Taliban leader is itself strong evidence of Khawarij’s anti-Pakistan designs. It is also evident that the top leadership of the Taliban especially supreme leader Habibullah Akhudzada comprehends the undesired complications linked to the cross-border terrorism from Afghan soil. Bleak consequences of flawed terrorism-specific policies are widely hurting Afghanistan’s repute and relations with neighborly countries. Hollowness of Taliban’s denial can be measured from the multiple killings of Khawarij (TTP) wanted commanders on Afghanistan’s soil. A recent report released by a sub-committee of the UN Security Council has openly mentioned the banned TTP as the biggest terrorist group operating with impunity from Afghanistan. Being an unelected force, the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan lacks legitimacy. The commitment of such an illegitimate regime with the banned terrorist groups of various brands merits a regional response as already proposed by PM Shahbaz Sharif during a recent past event at the SCO forum.

Terrorists on Afghan Soil