KUALA LUMPUR – As Israel presses on with its offensive in Gaza, more than 200 people have been killed in 24 hours, a day after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution for more aid to flow into the besieged enclave.
Today, Israel said five of its soldiers were killed in combat, bringing the total of army deaths to 144 since the start of the ground incursion on October 27.
Gaza’s health ministry reported 201 deaths, adding on to the death toll since the start of the war 11 weeks ago to 20,258 – with most of those killed being women and children.
Yesterday, the Security Council approved a resolution demanding “immediate, safe and unhindered” deliveries of aid to Gaza but stopped short at calling for a permanent ceasefire.
Hamas also claimed that dozens of Palestinians were summarily executed this week in Jabalia while calling for a thorough investigation into the alleged war crimes.
The group said in a statement that testimonies alleged that the Israeli army had carried out executions of 137 Palestinian civilians since October 7. It also accused the Israeli forces of “digging a large pit east of Gaza City and placing dozens of detained citizens in it before executing them and filling up the pit”.
The United Nations estimates that the war has displaced 1.9 million out 2.4 million Gazans and that nine out of the 36 hospitals there are barely functioning.
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has accused Israel of putting up massive obstacles during the deliveries of aid.
Previously, a temporary truce saw the release of 80 Israeli hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.
Israel’s air and ground attacks on the coastal strip since an October 7 attack by Hamas has left Gaza in ruins, with half of its housing damaged or destroyed amid shortages of food and clean water. – December 24, 2023