Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
THE death toll in Gaza has risen to 70 360, mostly women and children, as Israeli airstrikes continue despite an agreed ceasefire.
In the past 24 hours, six people were killed and 17 were injured in new strikes across the enclave.
The humanitarian situation has sharply deteriorated as winter sets in, leaving millions of displaced Palestinians without proper shelter, heating or basic services.
Aid agencies have said the collapse of infrastructure could trigger additional fatalities from exposure and disease.
In a statement, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Zimbabwe Dr Tamer Almassri condemned the continued military operations and accused Israel of violating the truce.
“Israel continues to violate the ceasefire with relentless bombardment. The convergence of ongoing attacks and the breakdown of essential services in winter threatens to increase the mortality rate significantly beyond direct combat casualties.”
Ambassador Almassri urged the international community to enforce the ceasefire and expedite the delivery of critical winter aid.
“The international community cannot remain indifferent to this unfolding tragedy. The continued targeting of civilian populations constitutes a clear infringement of international humanitarian law and must be universally condemned.”
Diplomatic efforts have so far failed to halt the escalating crisis, with humanitarian organisations warning that conditions in Gaza are expected to worsen in the coming weeks unless immediate intervention is secured.
