Israel-Palestine conflict: Bodies of children pulled from rubble as Israel bombards Gaza

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. AP/PTI

Amid escalating tensions in the Gaza Strip, Israel has continued its air raids on the region, resulting in dozens of casualties, including nine children in the city of Khan Younis, according to reports from Al Jazeera.

The ongoing conflict has taken a severe toll on both sides, with 1,200 killed in Gaza, while Israel has also recorded 1,200 deaths.

Officials in Gaza have expressed grave concerns about a looming humanitarian catastrophe, the report said, as the enclave's only power plant has been forced to shut down due to a critical shortage of fuel after a "complete blockade" by Israel.

In a statement to the media earlier on Wednesday, Ashraf Al Qidra, spokesperson of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, explained that Israel's blockade and the refusal to allow fuel into Gaza are pushing "our medical operation into a precarious situation".

Without quick action to restore power, the situation in the hospitals is poised for a "huge loss of these lives", he said, a stark warning of the potential consequences of the continued power shortages.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has issued a stark warning, describing the hospitals in Gaza as "resembling graveyards" due to the acute shortage of power supply. Hisham Mhanna, a dedicated ICRC staff member stationed in Gaza, shared a video clip via social media, emphasizing the imminent risk of the sole power company in the Palestinian territory completely shutting down within a matter of hours.

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Gaza's hospitals are already grappling with a critical scarcity of medical personnel and essential supplies, with the number of seriously injured patients mounting swiftly due to the relentless Israeli airstrikes. The situation in Gaza continues to be highly volatile and deeply distressing, as both sides suffer substantial losses in a conflict that shows no signs of de-escalation.

In response to the crisis, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has extended an offer to assist in securing the release of captives taken by Hamas from southern Israel on Saturday. The ICRC, acting as a neutral mediator, has initiated contact with both Hamas and Israeli officials as part of its efforts to address the hostage issue. The organization is prepared to facilitate humanitarian visits and support any potential releases.

Israeli authorities have reported that Hamas is currently holding approximately 150 individuals captive, encompassing soldiers, men, women, children, and elderly individuals, all within the confines of Gaza.

Multiple reports from various Palestinian media outlets have confirmed that an Israeli airstrike targeting a residential building in northern Gaza has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 15 lives. The early morning attack in the city of Jabaliya has also left numerous individuals wounded, according to information provided by the Palestinian WAFA news agency.