Death toll in Gaza climbs to 6,500 as UNSC resolutions fail to address the Israel-Hamas War
A child in Gaza, amidst demolished buildings. Photo: UNRWA
The Israel Hmas War intensifies as it enters its 20th day on Thursday, October 26, since Israel was caught in a surprise Hamas attack on October 7. As the Israeli government prepares for a ground offensive, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is on the verge of a collapse with a lack of fresh water, electricity, fuel, food and medical supplies.
Israel, responding to the situation has further intensified airstrikes on the besieged Palestinian enclave, with heavy shelling reported from several Gazan towns.
According to the UNRWA, due to fuel shortages, its operations in Gaza may stop tonight.
We’re extremely distressed that critical @UNRWA ops in Gaza are at risk due to critical fuel shortages. Fuel aid must be permitted to operate generators essential for hospitals, sanitation, water treatment, food & UN work in helping civilians & protecting human rights across Gaza pic.twitter.com/UKMMtOh4fn
— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) October 25, 2023
Death count
- According to the Associated Press, the Health Ministry in Gaza reported the number of Palestinians killed stands at 6,546. In the West Bank, over 100 Palestinians have lost their lives.
- According to the Israeli Government, around 1,400 have lost their lives in Israel so far, since October 7.
- Downplaying the Gazan casualties, US President Joe Biden, on Wednesday said he had no confidence in the death figures coming out of Gaza as its Hamas controls health authorities.
IDF Ground offensive
- According to Reuters, Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said, "Our operations in Gaza will persist as we pursue the objectives of this war", which is the destruction of Hamas.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a televised address, on Wednesday, October 25, announced Israel's readiness for a potential ground invasion without specifying the timing, approach, or scale.
- Israeli forces, including tanks and troops, are currently stationed along the Gaza border, and Israel has called up 360,000 reservists for potential action, reported Reuters.
- Amid speculations of the ground offensive, a Wall Street Journal report said that Israel has consented to postpone a ground incursion into Gaza until the arrival of US air defence systems.
There is increasing international pressure to delay a full-scale invasion of Gaza, mainly due to the presence of around 220 hostages from 25 different countries, many of whom hold an Israeli passport (dual nationals) too.
UN Security Council resolution fails again
- According to Reuters, the UNSC failed to halt the Israel-Hamas war again, as both United States and Russian resolutions were rejected.
- The US resolution aimed to reaffirm Israel's right to self-defence, call for respect of international laws, especially the protection of civilians, and advocate for humanitarian pauses to provide aid to Gaza.
- The vote was not adopted because Russia and China vetoed it.
Russia and China vetoed a US-drafted UN Security Council resolution on the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip while Russia failed to win a minimum number of votes to pass its resolution, reports Reuters
— ANI (@ANI) October 25, 202
- On the other hand, the Russian resolution called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire and condemned Hamas' attacks in Israel on October 7, as well as indiscriminate attacks on Gaza's civilians and civilian structures.
- This vote also failed to meet the minimum requirement of nine "yes" votes for adoption.
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Israeli airstrike kills Al Jazeera Bureau Chief's Family
- An Israeli airstrike in Gaza resulted in the loss of the wife, son, and young daughter of Al Jazeera Arabic's bureau chief, Wael Dahdouh.
- The Qatar-based news network reported the journalist, was on air reporting on the war.
Putin warns of war spillover
- Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Wednesday, expressed concerns that the war has the potential to escalate beyond Israel and its neighbours.
- He strongly criticised the unjust "punishment" of innocent women, children, and elders in Gaza for the actions of others, without naming Hamas.
- According to the Kremlin, in a meeting with religious leaders from various faiths in Russia, he said, "Our task today, our main task, is to stop the bloodshed and violence,"