Published 18/03/2025 15:40 | Edited 18/03/2025 17:09
At least 404 people, including many children, were killed and 562 were injured in new Israeli attacks that ended up with a fragile two-month ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The death toll estimated by the Ministry of Health should increase, as many victims remain under the rubble.
Tuesday’s attack took place throughout Gaza, including Khan Youis and Rafah, in southern Gaza, in the city of Gaza, in the North, and in central areas such as Deir El-Balah.
For the 15th consecutive day, Israel maintains a total blockade of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, while issuing new forced displacement orders to Palestinians in strategic areas. The Gaza Ministry of Health reports 48,577 confirmed dead and 112,041 injured since the climb started on October 7, 2023, numbers contested by the Gaza Government Press Office, which estimates more than 61,700 dead, including thousands buried under rubble.
Hamas accuses Israel of “treacherous attack” and guilt USA
In response to recent bombings, Hamas said Israel has committed a “treacherous attack” against civilians to sabotage ceasefire negotiations and accused the United States of Tacitus support. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the attacks on the lack of progress in negotiations to release hostages. Hamas released about three dozen prisoners in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners since the beginning of the ceasefire.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated during AIPAC event in Jerusalem that the attacks are not an “isolated event” and that military operation will continue. He confirmed that the US was warned in advance and support the action.
Appeals for sanctions and weapons embargo
American congressman Rashida Tlaib harshly criticized the offensive, demanding sanctions and arms embargo against Israel. “The apartheid regime resumed its genocide,” he said, referring to the blockade of food and electricity.
UN Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour denounced Israeli attempts to alter Gaza’s demography through forced displacements and annexations. “The images of wounded children and families under rubble have again haunted us,” he said, reiterating the need for a permanent ceasefire and a solution of two states.
“UN resolution is clear in rejecting any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip, including any actions that reduce the territory of Gaza, a goal that Israel continues to pursue, as mass forced displacement and attachment remain their main goals in all occupied Palestinian territories,” Riyad Mansour said.
Hamas leaders’ murders and settlement expansion
The Israeli army announced the death of four high employees of the Hamas political wing, including Issam Al-Dalis, the government’s head of public works, Ahmed Al-Hatta, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mahmoud Abu Watfa, Under-Secretary of the Interior Ministry and Bahjat Abu Sultan, Director General of the Internal Safety Service. The army said its attacks on Gaza targeted mid -level commanders and important Hamas political wing figures.
At the same time, an UN report revealed record expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, with 20,000 new housing units and 49 illegal advanced posts.
The document also points to 612 Palestinians killed by Israeli and settlers forces between November 2023 and October 2024, in addition to 2,143 demolished Palestinian properties, resulting in the forced displacement of 4,527 people in the West Bank, an increase of 200% over the previous report period.
During the same period, the expropriation of Palestinians increased, with 214 demolished Palestinian properties in East Jerusalem and 1,779 in the West Bank due to the failure to obtain construction licenses, which Israel categorically denies the Palestinians. There was an average of 118 acts of settlers per month, above 108 in 2023, which was a record year.
“Hunger as a weapon of war”: UN and HRW ask for accountability
Human Rights Watch Omar Shakir accused Israel of violating international law by blocking humanitarian aid and using hunger as a war strategy. “It’s an unmistakable war crime,” he said, criticizing countries like the US for continuing to transfer weapons to Israel.
“Blocking help is a blatant violation of international law. Using hunger as a weapon of war is a war crime. This is unequivocal. Of course. The International Court of Justice has issued binding orders – that Israel is disrespecting – to facilitate help,” says Shakir. “All these things are uncontroversial basic principles of the law and are being flagrantly violated by the Israeli government,” he said, adding that countries like the US, which continue to send weapons to Israel, are “accomplices” of Israeli abuse in Gaza.
While the international community discusses actions, the conflict follows without a prospect of resolution, with Gaza on the brink of collapse and the West Bank under increasing colonial pressure. “This is a historic time to choose sides,” warned Mansour.
With information from Al Jazeera
Source: vermelho.org.br
