GAZA CITY – In the past 24 hours, Gaza’s Civil Defence teams have carried out 45 emergency operations across the besieged territory, battling fires, rescuing the injured, and recovering bodies from the rubble of air strikes.
From Sunday morning to Monday morning, the crews responded to two major fires, eight rescue calls, 24 ambulance requests, and 11 other urgent tasks. In the north, they evacuated civilians from Beit Lahiya and Gaza City, transported an injured Civil Defence officer to al-Shifa Hospital, and aided victims of gunfire.
In Gaza City, teams removed hazards from damaged buildings, retrieved the bodies of three people near the port, and evacuated three others wounded in strikes on the Sabra neighbourhood.
The central governorate saw firefighters extinguish an apartment blaze in al-Sawarha, while ambulances transported patients from homes, schools, and refugee camps. In Khan Younis, crews recovered six bodies from bombed areas, including Salah Shehadeh Street, and moved patients to Nasser Hospital. In Rafah, responders evacuated eight wounded from a strike on tents sheltering displaced families and towed a stranded water truck.
Civil Defence officials say their work is often hampered by restricted access to some areas. “We do what we can, but there are places we can’t reach in time,” one officer said.
Meanwhile, political tensions are mounting. Former US President Donald Trump told Axios he agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that more military pressure is needed on Hamas. “They are not going to let the hostages out in the current situation,” he said, describing their phone call as “good” but leaving Israel to decide its next steps.
Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer warned that the government may reject any partial ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal. Speaking to Channel 12, he argued, “This is a time we do not have,” citing concerns that a 60-day ceasefire could strip Israel of the momentum to resume its military campaign.
The United Nations has condemned Israel’s recent killing of Al Jazeera journalists and urged an independent investigation. According to Gaza’s Civil Defence, more than 2,500 wounded Palestinians have died since March because rescue crews were unable to reach them.
The fighting shows no sign of slowing. Since dawn on Monday, Gaza health officials report at least 46 Palestinians have been killed, including six people who were queueing for aid.
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