Israel has committed massacre after massacres of innocent civilians, including journalists, with impunity in Gaza and Lebanon since it launched its war on Gaza on October 7 last year. Israel is emboldened by the lack of accountability as it has the tacit support of the some Western governments, especially the US. The United States, Tel Aviv’s staunchest ally, has poured at least $17.9bn into the regime’s war machine since war began.
There is no justification in bombing of hospitals and schools and killing dozens of innocent people, including women and children on the pretext of attacking Hamas fighters. In Gaza, at least 42,924 people have been killed, mostly women and children, and 100,833 wounded in Israeli attacks.
Gaza Health Ministry said on Saturday that Israeli forces twice entered Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza, and opened fire at parts of the complex. They detained all-male medical staff at the hospital while confining women in one of the hospital rooms without water or food.
Israel’s raid on the hospital was over, but came at a heavy cost. After 44 male staff members detained, the hospital’s female staff, the hospital director and one other male doctor were left to care for nearly 200 patients in desperate need of medical attention.
The apparent targeted killing of three media workers in an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon on Friday has renewed calls for ending impunity for Israel’s abuses.
The mounting death toll of journalists in the expanding conflict is a result of the failure of the international community, particularly the United State, to hold the country accountable.
The killing of media workers in Lebanon came days after Israel baselessly accused several Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza of being members of Palestinian armed groups, raising concerns about their safety.
“The events of recent days are alarming, and should serve as a wake-up call for the US government and other states that have the power to hold the Israeli government to account and put a stop to this violence,” said Rebecca Vincent, campaign director at Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Human Rights Watch said the Israeli military’s repeated strikes on the Hezbollah-affiliated financial institution Al Qard Al Hassan in Lebanon indicate deliberate attacks on civilian structures that amount to war crimes.
Meanwhile, Qatar has played a significant role for a ceasefire in Gaza and end of hostilities. Qatar and the United States have announced negotiations on a Gaza ceasefire will begin in Doha soon. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said recently mediators were exploring new options after months of failure to seal a US-led plan.
