Deadly Israeli strikes targeted the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, February 20, where the humanitarian situation remains catastrophic, particularly in the town of Rafah, threatened with a ground offensive by Israel, at a time when a new impasse is looming in the Security Council. UN security regarding a possible ceasefire. Strikes notably targeted Khan Younes, a few kilometers north of Rafah, according to a journalist from Agence France-Presse, where Israeli soldiers are tracking down Hamas fighters in the middle of the ruins.
Nearly a million and a half people, according to the UN, are massed in Rafah, located in the south of the Palestinian territory against the closed border with Egypt, whose population has increased sixfold since the start of the war , on October 7, between Israel and Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced an upcoming offensive on the overpopulated city, targeted daily by Israeli strikes, in order to defeat the Palestinian Islamist movement in its “last bastion” and free the hostages held in Gaza. “The world must prevent the invasion of Rafah. Rafah has become an explosive reservoir and its invasion would mean thousands of deaths”said Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on Tuesday.
An Israeli armed ground offensive on Rafah would transform this town in the southern Gaza Strip into “cemetery”said Tuesday the head of the American branch of Doctors Without Borders. “The consequences of a large-scale attack on Rafah are truly unimaginable”added the executive director of the association, Avril Benoit, during an online press conference alongside Oxfam, Refugees International, and Amnesty International.
On Tuesday, the Hamas health ministry announced that bombings on Gaza had killed 103 people in twenty-four hours, and 29,195 since October 7. And, according to a report from Agence France-Presse based on official Israeli figures, the war has left around 1,160 dead in Israel.
WHO transferred 32 patients from Nasser Hospital in Khan Younes
After having suffered two refusals of access, the staff of the World Health Organization (WHO) were able to carry out two missions on Sunday February 18 and Monday: transfer 32 patients in critical condition – including two children – out of the besieged hospital Nasser from Khan Younes, in the south of the Gaza Strip, to other establishments and field hospitals in this territory. They also brought a small stock of essential medicines and food to patients and staff.
In its press release, the WHO expressed concern on Tuesday for the other patients and staff still in the Nasser hospital. Some 130 patients, injured or sick, are still there with at least 15 doctors and nurses. Israeli soldiers entered it on Thursday, based on intelligence that people were being held hostage there, the Israeli army said.
“The dismantling and deterioration of the Nasser medical complex constitutes a severe blow to the health system [de la bande de Gaza] »added the WHO, stressing that it “There is no electricity or running water and medical waste and garbage create a breeding ground for disease”.
The WHO has described“indescribable” conditions on site. The intensive care unit is no longer functioning, and WHO staff have transferred the only remaining patient in intensive care to another part of the complex. In his press release, “WHO fears for the safety and well-being of patients and health workers still in hospital and warns that further interruption of life-saving care for the sick and injured would lead to more deaths”.
Hamas leader in Cairo to discuss new truce
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss a new truce in Gaza. The head of the Hamas political bureau, based in Qatar, “will discuss with Egyptian officials the political situation and on the ground”, specifies Hamas in a press release. The delegation will also discuss “efforts to end the aggression, provide relief to the citizens and achieve the goals of the Palestinian people”according to the press release.
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Despite a flurry of meetings with Israeli and Hamas negotiators last week, Egyptian, Qatari and American mediators have made no progress in their efforts to end more than four months of war.
Humanitarian aid still insufficient
Reports from humanitarian organizations are increasingly alarming on the situation in the Gaza Strip, devastated and besieged by Israel, where 2.2 million people are threatened with famine, according to the UN. Food and drinking water have become “extremely rare” in Gaza, according to UN agencies, who are concerned about a considerable and imminent increase in the number of child deaths.
The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) on Tuesday once again suspended the distribution of its aid in the north of the territory, which is suffering “to chaos and violence”. Sunday, a convoy heading towards Gaza City “was surrounded by a crowd of hungry people”. WFP personnel managed to repel the attackers trying to board the trucks before“come under fire” in Gaza. And on Monday, several trucks “were looted” between the towns of Khan Younes and Deir Al-Balah, and a driver was molested.
Humanitarian aid, still insufficient, enters the Gaza Strip mainly through Rafah via Egypt, but its delivery to the north is made almost impossible by the fighting and destruction.
American veto in the UN Security Council on an “immediate humanitarian” ceasefire
Despite international pressure to soften its support for Israel, the United States once again prevented the UN Security Council from demanding a ceasefire on Tuesday February 20. ” immediate “ in Gaza, circulating an alternative text on a possible truce under conditions.
The draft resolution, which demanded “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire which must be respected by all parties”, received thirteen votes in favor, one abstention (United Kingdom) and one against, the third American veto since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas. The text is opposed to “forced displacement of the Palestinian civilian population” while Israel spoke of an evacuation of civilians before an offensive in Rafah.
The United States, Israel’s ally, vetoed this text, believing that it would endanger the delicate diplomatic negotiations for a truce. They presented another project which evokes a “temporary ceasefire in Gaza as soon as feasible” and on the basis of a ” formula “ including the release of all hostages. This project also warns that“a major land offensive” on Rafah “should not take place under current conditions”.
The Palestinian ambassador to the UN called this veto “irresponsible and dangerous” from the United States. “The message sent to Israel today by this veto is that they can continue to do anything with impunity”launched Riyad Mansour, denouncing the ” shield “ supplied by the Americans to Israel. “The American position is a green light for occupation [israélienne] to commit more massacres (…). This will only increase the suffering of our people.”for its part, declared the Hamas movement in a press release.