Rescue workers search through the rubble of a collapsed residential building in Gaza City on May 15. More than 100 people were killed in overnight airstrikes by Israeli forces. (Photo: Mohammed Al-Barghouti/AP)
By Sofia Rahman | International Correspondent
GAZA CITY, May 15 — In a devastating escalation of violence, Israeli airstrikes tore through multiple districts of Gaza overnight, killing at least 114 people and injuring hundreds more, according to local health officials and international humanitarian agencies. The bombardment comes amid renewed hostilities in the region and growing global concern over the humanitarian fallout.
The strikes, which began late Wednesday evening and continued into early Thursday, targeted what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described as "terrorist infrastructure" linked to Hamas in the northern and central areas of the Gaza Strip. However, eyewitnesses and footage from the ground paint a grimmer picture: collapsed residential towers, makeshift shelters reduced to rubble, and children being pulled from debris by frantic relatives and emergency workers.
A Night of Horror
In Gaza City’s Al-Rimal neighborhood, one of the hardest-hit areas, entire families were buried under the remains of their homes. Local hospitals, already overwhelmed by months of shortages and previous attacks, have declared mass-casualty emergencies. “We have bodies lying on the floor,” said Dr. Nidal Hassan of Al-Shifa Hospital. “There is no room, no electricity, and no time.”
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that rescue efforts were hampered by the ongoing strikes and destroyed roads. Volunteers worked through the night using bare hands and flashlights to dig through collapsed structures.
Israeli Justification and Global Outcry
The IDF released a statement Thursday morning claiming the strikes were part of "Operation Northern Flame," aimed at dismantling Hamas command centers and weapons depots. “This operation is necessary to neutralize immediate threats to Israeli citizens and restore long-term deterrence,” said IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.
Yet critics argue that the campaign has disproportionately affected civilians. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) described the strikes as “unacceptably indiscriminate,” and UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a plea for restraint, calling for “an immediate cessation of hostilities and unimpeded humanitarian access.”
Nakba Day: A Day of Mourning Becomes a Night of Death
The strikes coincided with Nakba Day—May 15—when Palestinians commemorate the displacement of hundreds of thousands during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. For many, the timing of the bombardment deepened the emotional scars of a day already steeped in grief and trauma.
“As we gathered to remember our history, new blood was spilled,” said Amal Yusuf, a 62-year-old survivor of the 1967 war. “This is not just history repeating; it is a cycle that has never stopped.”
International Reaction and Rising Tensions
The United States urged “both sides to de-escalate,” with Secretary of State Antony Blinken noting that “civilian lives must be protected.” However, the Biden administration stopped short of condemning Israel’s actions, citing its right to self-defense.
Meanwhile, Turkey and several European nations condemned the airstrikes as “excessive” and “inhumane,” while Iran called on Arab states to unite in direct opposition to Israeli aggression.
Protests have erupted across major cities, including London, Paris, Istanbul, and New York, with demonstrators demanding an immediate ceasefire and accountability from international institutions.
Starvation as a Weapon?
Human rights groups are also warning of an unfolding humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Israel’s blockade, which has restricted the flow of food, fuel, and medical supplies into the enclave for weeks, has drawn fresh accusations of collective punishment.
“Starvation is being used as a weapon of war,” said a joint statement from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. “This is a grave violation of international humanitarian law.”
Israel denies the claim, asserting that aid is being withheld solely to exert pressure on Hamas to release remaining Israeli hostages captured during last October's incursion.
What Comes Next?
With ceasefire talks stalled and regional players reluctant to intervene decisively, the specter of a prolonged and bloodier conflict looms large. Analysts warn that the current round of violence risks spiraling into a wider regional war if a political solution is not urgently pursued.
“This is not just about Gaza or Hamas,” said political analyst Dr. Lina Abu-Ramadan of the University of Beirut. “It’s about the failure of decades of diplomacy and the global community’s inability to enforce accountability.”
.jpeg)
No comments:
Post a Comment