Gaza, Jan 5 (NationPress) The Gaza media office, operated by Hamas, reported that the Israeli military has conducted 94 airstrikes and shelling attacks on the Gaza Strip within the last 72 hours, leading to the deaths of 184 individuals.
In a statement released on Saturday, the office characterized the recent escalation as 'dangerous and brutal', emphasizing that it has primarily targeted unarmed civilians and residential areas, especially in Gaza City.
Furthermore, it mentioned that numerous victims, whether deceased or injured, remain trapped beneath the rubble due to the damaged infrastructure, which hampers their recovery and access to medical facilities, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Officials from the Palestinian Civil Defence in Gaza confirmed the significant intensification of Israeli airstrikes over the past three days, with local residents describing this period as exceptionally challenging.
The statement held the Israeli military entirely accountable for these 'horrific crimes' and criticized the US administration for its provision of military support and weapons to Israel.
It urged the international community and the UN Security Council to fulfill their legal and ethical responsibilities by sending independent investigative teams to document these 'heinous crimes' and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
The surge in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza commenced on Thursday morning following a warning from Defence Minister Israel Katz the previous day, indicating the use of 'unprecedented force' if Hamas did not release hostages and halt rocket fire towards Israel.
Negotiations facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US have stalled over critical issues, including the potential continuation of the ceasefire, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Hamas aims to extend the truce, while Israel maintains its right to resume military operations if it perceives a security threat. Another contentious issue is Hamas's demand for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, which Israel opposes, citing the necessity of maintaining military presence for security control.
Since the onset of hostilities on October 7, 2023, Israel has been involved in a large-scale military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, which, according to health authorities in Gaza, has led to over 45,000 Palestinian deaths. The conflict was ignited by a Hamas attack on southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of approximately 250 hostages.
