Gaza: Dozens of Martyrs Due to Occupation Massacres, Bodies Recovered from Khan Younis

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced on Saturday that the Israeli occupation forces committed 5 massacres in the sector within the last 48 hours, resulting in 69 martyrs and 212 injured being brought to hospitals. This raises the total number of victims on the 323rd day of the aggression to 40,334 martyrs and 93,356 injured.

The ministry stated in its daily statistical report that “a number of victims remain under the rubble and in the streets, and ambulance and civil defense crews are unable to reach them.” Meanwhile, the occupation army has ordered the forced evacuation of large areas east of Deir Al-Balah city in central Gaza in preparation for military action.

The Civil Defense in Gaza announced that its crews retrieved the bodies of 49 Palestinians who were martyred due to Israeli bombing targeting the sector since early Saturday and over the past two days.

Mohammed Al-Mughir, Director of Supply and Equipment at the Civil Defense, said: “Our crews retrieved the bodies of 49 Palestinians who were martyred due to Israeli bombing early today and during the past two days in areas in the south and center of the sector.”

He clarified that the bodies were retrieved from the residential Hamad city, areas west of Rafah city, and the Ain Jalut towers area in the Nuseirat camp in the central sector. He added that “the Palestinians were martyred by Israeli occupation bombing, either by artillery, gunfire, or airstrikes.”

He continued: “Our crews are working in areas the army has retreated from north of Khan Younis city, searching for missing people under the rubble of homes targeted by the occupation.”

Destruction and Dismembered Bodies in Khan Younis

The retreat of the occupying army, on Saturday, from areas north of Khan Younis city in southern Gaza unveiled extensive destruction concentrated in the residential Hamad city area. Israeli warplanes destroyed dozens of residential apartments and leveled buildings, according to eyewitnesses.

Witnesses reported the flattening of dozens of residential buildings north of Khan Younis city, along with the bulldozing of lands and citizens’ properties. They also reported that civil defense, health crews, and the International Red Cross are searching for the missing in areas penetrated and targeted by the occupation army.

They noted the retrieval of a number of bodies and dismembered parts north of Khan Younis city, which were transferred to Nasser Hospital in the city. The occupation army’s incursion into north Khan Younis has forcibly displaced thousands of Palestinians from their homes to the western and central areas of the sector.

In the same context, the Ministry of Health in Gaza announced on Saturday that 60% of the essential medicines list and 83% of medical consumables have run out due to the war and Israel’s control and closure of crossings.

The ministry stated on Telegram: “We warn of the unprecedented crisis of medicines and medical consumables on the lives of patients and the injured, as hospitals and health centers are suffering from a severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies.”

It explained that “60% of the essential medicines list and 83% of medical consumables have run out from the ministry’s warehouses, leading to a complete cessation of treatment services.”

It confirmed that the main services threatened to stop include emergency, surgeries, intensive care, dialysis, primary health care, and mental health. It appealed to international and UN institutions “for urgent intervention and provision of the necessary medicines and medical supplies.”

Since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, Israel has cut off electricity to the Gaza Strip, prevented fuel entry to operate the only power plant, stopped water and communication supplies, and blocked food and medical supplies, and sealed the crossings.

Currently, only “limited” medical supplies and international aid pass through Israel to enter Gaza, which is insufficient for the residents of the sector who are suffering from catastrophic humanitarian and health conditions.