Desperate Rescue Efforts in Northern Gaza

In the early hours of Thursday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a residential home in northern Gaza, leaving local residents in a state of chaos and despair. As the dust settled, those nearby reported a shocking absence of paramedics or first responders to assist in the aftermath, forcing community members to take matters into their own hands.

Mazen Ahmed, who has been displaced and is currently residing in Beit Lahia, described the harrowing scene. Together with other neighbors, he began the grim task of sifting through the rubble, desperately searching for survivors and casualties. “We went out to try and rescue on our own to the extent of our abilities,” he shared through a voice message from a cemetery where the deceased from the latest airstrikes were being laid to rest. “There were no stretchers, there were no rescuers, there were no emergency responders.”

This tragic situation is compounded by the fact that more than two weeks prior, Gaza’s civil defense, the primary emergency service in the region, announced it had to halt its rescue operations in the northern areas. This decision was made in response to ongoing attacks by the Israeli military, which targeted its personnel and destroyed critical equipment.

According to reports from the Gaza Health Ministry, the last month has seen a staggering number of casualties among Palestinians as Israel intensified military operations in northern Gaza. With widespread evacuations ordered, the Israeli military claims its objective is to dismantle a regrouped Hamas presence in the area.

On Thursday, the Israeli military issued a statement claiming it was conducting operations against what it termed “terrorist infrastructure” in Beit Lahia. This agricultural and residential locale, situated along the Israeli border, has been a focal point of conflict for the past four weeks. However, the military refrained from commenting on specific allegations regarding the airstrike on the home in Beit Lahia.