Gaza Civil Defense warns of summer catastrophe: War has not stopped, and the alleged truce has seen thousands of violations

The spokesman for the Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip, Major Mahmoud Bassal, issued strong warnings about the humanitarian and service conditions reaching unprecedented catastrophic levels. Bassal affirmed that military operations have not actually stopped on the ground despite all the circulating talk about a ceasefire, pointing out that the Strip faces increasing risks with the approach of summer.

Field sources reported that recent Israeli raids targeted the Gaza port area, a vital outlet for thousands of residents fleeing psychological and living pressures. This targeting resulted in a large number of casualties and injuries among civilians who were present in the crowded area, with the injured being transferred to Al-Shifa Medical Complex.

Targeting was not limited to the port area but also included artillery shelling that hit the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood east of Gaza City, leading to additional injuries that were transferred to Al-Ahli Arab Hospital. The spokesman clarified that these attacks come in the context of ongoing daily military operations that directly target civilians in various areas of the Strip.

The Civil Defense revealed a heavy toll of casualties during the four days of Eid al-Adha, with the number of dead exceeding 30 people, with women and children constituting the largest proportion among them. These figures reflect the continuation of the escalating military approach despite religious occasions, exacerbating the state of sadness and suffering experienced by the residents of the besieged Strip.

In a shocking statistic, Bassal indicated that the occupation committed more than 3,000 violations since the announcement of the alleged truce, resulting in 938 deaths and more than 2,800 injuries. He stressed that the percentage of children and women exceeded 38% of the total victims during this period, which refutes claims of a real de-escalation on the ground.

Regarding field work, the spokesman affirmed that Civil Defense teams continue to perform their duties with their very limited and dilapidated capabilities. He stressed that this equipment is no longer sufficient to face the increasing challenges, especially in light of the severe shortage of fuel, oils, and spare parts necessary to operate humanitarian machinery.

The Civil Defense warned that the onset of summer will severely exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, especially with the spread of thousands of tents in overcrowded shelters that lack infrastructure. He explained that residents' reliance on primitive alternatives for cooking and heating due to the absence of cooking gas increases the likelihood of catastrophic fires breaking out inside these canvas tents.

Bassal strongly criticized the absence of an international response to the repeated appeals launched by service and medical institutions and municipalities in the Gaza Strip in recent months. He said that all concerned parties have sounded the alarm about the tragic reality, but international action still does not rise to the scale of the rapidly deteriorating catastrophe.

The spokesman denied any tangible improvement in living conditions, affirming that talk of sufficient aid flow does not reflect the bitter reality experienced by the residents. He pointed out that the basic needs of citizens and service institutions are still completely uncovered, with the continued policy of starvation and a severe shortage of vital supplies.

The Civil Defense expressed its astonishment at the silence of the international community and mediators regarding the documented suffering with sound and image, calling on them to assume their legal and moral responsibilities. It demanded the urgent need for intervention to support the service system and protect civilians from flagrant violations that affect the most basic human rights to life and safety.

Regarding urgent needs, Bassal explained that the widespread destruction of infrastructure and homes has left residents in need of all basic necessities of life. This includes housing, furniture, and medical services, in addition to the urgent need to evacuate the wounded whose conditions require specialized treatment outside the besieged Gaza Strip.

The spokesman concluded his statements by warning that the continuation of the current situation means exposing Gaza residents to the risk of 'slow death' amidst the rubble, scattered waste, and food shortages. He stressed that the absence of comprehensive and urgent solutions will lead to an uncontrollable explosion of the situation, in light of the continued siege, restrictions, and land confiscation.

Talk of sufficient aid flow does not reflect reality, and the occupation has committed thousands of violations since the announcement of the alleged truce.