SAEDNEWS: Palestinians inspect the damage after an Israeli airstrike the previous night in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip on October 20, 2024.
According to SAEDNEWS, Horrific events are taking place in Beit Lahia, a town in northern Gaza, following Israeli airstrikes that occurred overnight and into Sunday. The United Nations reports that these strikes have resulted in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians, with many of the victims being women and children.
In a statement made on Sunday, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, emphasized that “nowhere is safe in Gaza.” He described the situation as a nightmare that is getting worse due to ongoing conflict and relentless Israeli attacks, which have led to a deepening humanitarian crisis. “This war must end,” he pleaded, stressing the need to protect civilians and halt the displacement of Palestinians.
According to Gaza's Health Ministry, at least 87 people are confirmed dead or missing due to the airstrikes in Beit Lahia. The situation is even more alarming as Israeli forces reportedly bombed Kamal Adwan Hospital in the area, damaging its water tanks and electricity grid. The hospital's director, Hussam Abu Safia, stated that this attack significantly disrupted medical services, putting both patients and staff at risk.
Abu Safia explained that the surrounding area has experienced heavy bombing and gunfire for hours, heightening the danger for those in and around the hospital.
This incident is part of a wider onslaught of air and artillery strikes on northern Gaza, which have persisted for 16 consecutive days. An emergency physician who recently left Gaza, James Smith, noted that hospitals in the northern region can no longer offer basic medical care. He shared that the three main hospitals—Kamal Adwan, the Indonesian Hospital, and al-Awda Hospital—have been targeted by Israeli forces in recent days.
“They have been systematically deprived of basic medical equipment and fuel,” Smith said, adding that the lack of resources has led to tragic outcomes, including the deaths of two patients at the Indonesian Hospital due to insufficient fuel to operate vital medical devices.
Palestinian health authorities reported on Saturday that the three partially functioning hospitals in northern Gaza are surrounded and being shelled by Israeli tanks. They accuse the Israeli military of deliberately bombing hospitals, worsening the already critical humanitarian situation.
As the crisis continues, the international community watches closely, hoping for an end to the violence and a restoration of safety for civilians in the region.