DaysofPal – The Civil Defense in Gaza warned Thursday of a rapidly escalating humanitarian catastrophe after a week of relentless Israeli bombardment that has devastated homes, infrastructure, and shelters, leaving tens of thousands without refuge.
Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense, said the destruction followed Israel’s declaration that it would “open the gates of hell” on Gaza City. In just seven days, he reported, more than 50,000 civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, have been displaced.
According to Basal, 12 high-rise residential buildings, each more than seven floors tall and housing about 500 apartments, were completely destroyed, displacing at least 10,000 people. In addition, Israeli forces bombed and demolished more than 120 mid-sized buildings averaging three floors, forcing over 7,200 residents from their homes.
More than 500 other structures were partially damaged, depriving nearly 30,000 people of safe shelter. Even makeshift relief measures were struck: over 600 tents used to house displaced families were obliterated, leaving 6,000 more civilians homeless. The assault also razed 10 schools and five mosques.
“The scale of destruction is catastrophic,” Basal said, urging the United Nations and international community to intervene immediately to halt the aggression and protect civilians. He appealed to humanitarian organizations to provide urgent alternatives for shelter, food, medicine, and other emergency supplies.
Amnesty International condemned the forced displacement orders and destruction of residential towers, warning they amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law.
The rights group said the ongoing campaign illustrates Israel’s deliberate policy of imposing unlivable conditions on a population already enduring immense suffering.
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