Israel Kills Two Palestinian Children in Gaza, West Bank Healthcare Facilities Under Attack
In a tragic turn of events, Israeli drone strikes have claimed the lives of two Palestinian children in Gaza, escalating the ongoing conflict in the region. The most recent attack targeted a tent in Beit Hanoon, northern Gaza, killing a child and injuring their mother. Earlier, another child lost their life in Gaza City due to a similar drone assault.
Adding to the humanitarian crisis, the Palestinian advocacy group, the National Campaign to Retrieve Martyrs’ Bodies, has revealed that Israel is currently holding the bodies of 676 Palestinians in refrigeration units and military burial sites, referred to as “cemeteries of numbers.” This practice has raised serious concerns over the treatment and dignity of the deceased.
West Bank Healthcare Facilities Under Fire
The West Bank has not been spared from the conflict. According to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 54 attacks on healthcare centers in the West Bank since January, resulting in four deaths and nine injuries. These attacks severely hinder access to medical care for Palestinians in the region, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Israeli Airstrike in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley
Tensions have also spilled over into Lebanon, where Israeli forces bombarded areas near the village of Jennata in the Bekaa Valley, close to the Syrian border. Al Jazeera and local sources reported the attack, which Israel’s military confirmed, stating it targeted Hezbollah positions in the area.
Columbia University Revokes Diplomas Amid Gaza Protests
In the United States, Columbia University has taken disciplinary action against students involved in Gaza protests last year, revoking diplomas and issuing multi-year suspensions and expulsions. The protests aimed to pressure the university to divest from companies linked to the Israeli military. The Trump administration has further escalated tensions by withholding hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding from Columbia University due to its support for the protests. Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil remains detained by immigration authorities for his involvement in the demonstrations.
Amnesty International Demands Immediate Action to Protect Palestinians
Amnesty International has called on the global community to act swiftly to protect Palestinians following a UN report that details Israel’s use of systematic sexual and reproductive violence against Palestinian civilians. Amnesty’s senior adviser on gender, conflict, and international justice, Lauren Aarons, highlighted that these atrocities, particularly targeting women and girls, are part of Israel’s broader strategy of oppression in Gaza and the occupied territories. The report emphasizes that Israeli detention centers are hotspots for such gender-based violence, adding to the suffering of Palestinian families.
- Source: ALJAZEERA
