Gaza City under fire, dozens more dead
On Sunday, August 31, at least 30 Palestinians were killed by Israeli air strikes and shelling around Gaza City, according to local health authorities, quoted by The Guardian. The majority of victims were civilians, including several children searching for food in the ruins.
The Israeli army has declared Gaza City a “combat zone”, meaning that access to humanitarian aid is virtually impossible. As Al Jazeera points out, this decision amounts to abandoning hundreds of thousands of inhabitants, already exhausted by nearly eleven months of incessant bombing.
Civilians targeted
In Gaza, hospitals are overwhelmed and morgues are overflowing. The weekend's strikes directly hit areas where displaced families, already deprived of water, electricity, and food, were huddled. The distress is such that NGOs are now speaking of a “total suffocation strategy”.
The civilian population is paying a terrible price: more than 63,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023, according to Health Ministry data, a figure confirmed by several investigations cited by Associated Press. The majority are women and children.
Targeting Hamas leaders
In this context, the Israeli army claimed the elimination of Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the al-Qassam Brigades. An announcement relayed by AP News, which highlights the highly symbolic nature of this targeting. But for Gazans, this news only heralds a new wave of reprisals, synonymous with more destruction and civilian deaths.
A flotilla to break the siege
In Barcelona, a humanitarian flotilla set sail on August 31 to try and reach Gaza despite the blockade. According to Associated Press, this is the most significant attempt in years. On board are committed figures such as Greta Thunberg and Susan Sarandon, who have come to denounce a siege that is starving over two million people. These ships carry food, medicine, but above all a message: the world has no right to look away.
London promises recognition of a Palestinian state
On the diplomatic front, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that the United Kingdom intends to officially recognize a Palestinian state as early as September, reports The Guardian. London announced £3 million in medical aid, but conditional on free humanitarian access – a condition that Israeli bombing currently makes illusory.
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