Arab foreign ministers on Wednesday condemned Israel’s blockade of Gaza in response to the surprise attack by Hamas fighters on Israel, urging the immediate facilitation of aid into the besieged territory.
Following Saturday’s extensive attack by Hamas that resulted in casualties on both sides, Israel has implemented a “complete siege” on the Gaza Strip, severing access to water, food, electricity, and crucial provisions.
On Wednesday, while Israel continued its fifth consecutive day of airstrikes on targets within the densely populated and economically challenged coastal enclave, Gaza’s sole power plant came to a halt.
The Palestinian enclave’s electrical authority issued a statement, revealing that the power plant had depleted its fuel reserves.
Gathering at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, foreign ministers from Arab nations deliberated on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and called for Israel to end its blockade of Gaza.
They further urged for the prompt delivery of food, fuel, and humanitarian assistance to the densely populated and economically challenged coastal enclave.
The foreign ministers from Arab nations also pressed Israel to reevaluate its “unjust decision to cut electricity supply and water to Gaza”.
After five days of ceaseless Israeli airstrikes in response to the ruthless attack on Israeli communities along the border, the small region of Gaza lies in ruins.
According to Salama Marouf from the Gaza government’s media office, airstrikes have targeted residential structures, mosques, factories, and businesses.
Emergency room physician Mohammed Ghonim reported that medical resources, including oxygen, were dwindling at the overwhelmed Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza.
Israel has documented a “shocking” 1,200 fatalities since the assault by Hamas fighters on Saturday, whereas Gaza authorities report over 1,000 casualties from Israeli aerial and artillery attacks.
Gaza ranks among the world’s most densely inhabited areas, with a population of 2.3 million residing within a compact 362-square-kilometer (140-square-mile) strip of land.
Since 2007, it has been subjected to an Israeli blockade after Hamas assumed control of the region from the Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas’s secular Fatah movement.
The sole entry point into Gaza that is not under Israeli control is Rafah, situated on the border with Egypt.
Rafah has been bombarded by Israel three times this week.
