The Palestinian Red Crescent has announced the existence of more than 8,000 reports of missing persons in Gaza, according to a breaking news report by “Cairo News Channel.” This announcement comes amidst an ongoing and unprecedented assault by Israeli forces on the Gaza Strip, conducted by air, land, and sea, now entering its 80th consecutive day. The offensive has resulted in thousands of casualties, including martyrs and wounded, predominantly women and children. Many victims still remain buried under the rubble, unextracted due to the ongoing bombing and the perilous on-ground situation.
This offensive is occurring under a severe blockade of the sector, with stringent restrictions on the entry of fuel and essential emergency aids aimed at alleviating the catastrophic humanitarian conditions.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported a significant increase in the toll of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. Since October 7, the number of martyrs has exceeded 20,000, with over 53,000 injured. According to Palestinian statistics, there are still over 6,700 missing persons under the rubble, in addition to the destruction of 70% of residential units in Gaza.
The situation in Gaza has been extremely critical, marked by intense conflict and a dire humanitarian crisis. The United Nations Security Council has adopted a key resolution, demanding immediate and safe delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza. The resolution also calls for the appointment of a Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator to facilitate and verify the humanitarian nature of relief consignments, and demands that parties cooperate with the Coordinator to fulfill their mandate without delay or obstruction. The resolution underscores the importance of respecting and protecting civilians and civilian objects under international humanitarian law and calls for a ceasefire.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been described as “apocalyptic” by UN humanitarians, with ongoing hostilities making meaningful aid efforts nearly impossible. The intense conflict has led to severe shortages of food, water, and other basic necessities, and the health system in Gaza is on the verge of collapse. More than 100 people were reportedly killed in recent bombardments, and the situation is deteriorating rapidly.
Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been exchanging threats, with Hamas warning that no captives it took would leave Gaza alive unless its demands were met. The conflict has seen heavy fighting in various parts of Gaza, with reports of areas being heavily bombarded and medical posts under constant threat.