Israeli airstrike kills five journalists in Gaza amid growing humanitarian crisis
An Israeli airstrike early Thursday killed five journalists in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, according to Palestinian medics. The attack targeted a broadcast truck operated by Al-Quds Today television channel, affiliated with the Islamic Jihad militant group.
In a statement, the channel confirmed that five of its staffers were killed while “performing their journalistic and humanitarian duty.”
The Israeli military stated that its forces struck a vehicle carrying Islamic Jihad terrorists in the Nuseirat area.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens, with freezing winter temperatures claiming the lives of vulnerable residents, including infants.
Tragic Death of a Newborn Amid Freezing Temperatures
In southern Gaza, a newborn girl, Sila al-Faseeh, froze to death in the al-Muwasi camp outside Khan Younis, according to the enclave’s Ministry of Health. Her father, Mahmoud al-Faseeh, described the family’s struggle to stay warm in a tent that failed to block the chilling wind.
Sila is the third infant to succumb to hypothermia in recent days, highlighting the harsh living conditions in the war-torn region. “It was very cold overnight, and we couldn’t even stay warm as adults,” said Mahmoud.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Farra, director of the children’s ward at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, confirmed that three infants, all less than a month old, died of hypothermia in just two days.
Aid and Escalating Death Toll
According to The Associated Press, Israel has allowed an average of 130 trucks carrying humanitarian aid into Gaza daily in December, a slight increase from earlier months. However, this number pales in comparison to the 500 trucks that entered Gaza daily before the war.
Since the start of Israel’s counteroffensive in Gaza, following Hamas’ October 2023 attacks, over 45,300 people have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. This figure does not differentiate between civilians and fighters.
The conflict was sparked by a Hamas assault on southern Israel, which left 1,200 people dead and around 250 hostages taken. To date, approximately 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza, though many are feared dead.
As the region grapples with violence and humanitarian challenges, the global community continues to monitor the escalating crisis. [VOA News]
Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
