The humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsened on Monday as Israeli airstrikes killed more than 500 Palestinians, bringing the total death toll to over 19,000 since the start of the war on October 7.
The Gaza Health Ministry said that more than 6,000 people were wounded and that the health system was on the verge of collapse due to the lack of medical supplies, electricity, and water.
The ministry also said that more than 447 children were among the dead and that many more were orphaned or traumatized by the violence.
The UN and human rights groups have accused Israel of indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on civilian areas, including residential buildings, schools, hospitals, and media offices. According to a study published by an Israeli newspaper, the civilian proportion of deaths in the current operation is 61%, the highest in recent years. The study also said that the extensive killing of civilians not only contributes nothing to Israel’s security but also undermines it by fueling resentment and revenge among the survivors.
