Organisations in Luxembourg are adding their voices to international concerns over the ongoing bombardments targeting Rafah, a town in the southeast of Gaza. Doctors Without Borders in Luxembourg urged for “an immediate halt to the Rafah offensive” in a press release. This sentiment was reiterated by Minister of Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel during his official visit to Israel.
In their statement, the humanitarian organisation emphasised that Israel’s military strategy “inevitably leads to massacres of civilians.” Chris Lockyear, Secretary General of Doctors Without Borders, highlighted the plight of civilians who are forced into areas deemed safe only to face relentless air strikes and violent conflict. He also underscored the dire living conditions endured by families “crammed” into Rafah.
Unfortunately, conditions are showing no signs of improvement, with reports indicating continued Israeli bombardments on Thursday. Israel’s national security adviser has indicated a prolonged conflict, stating that the war could last “another seven months,” with the goal to “annihilate” Hamas. According to AFP, ground offensives are also reported to be ongoing in the southern town of Gaza.
In response to the escalating violence, Doctors Without Borders is urging all parties to respect and protect medical facilities, personnel, and patients. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported the deaths of two first-aid responders in what they described as a “direct strike” by the Israeli army on one of their ambulances. Doctors Without Borders asserts that the healthcare system in Gaza is systematically targeted by Israeli forces.
A statement issued to the press on Wednesday underscored the dire situation in Gaza, stating, “There is not a single health facility left in Gaza capable of dealing with the massive influx of wounded.” Karin Huster, medical referent for the Doctors Without Borders project in Gaza, highlighted the challenges faced by humanitarian efforts, citing both ongoing bombardments and obstacles to aid delivery as major hindrances to relief efforts. She described the situation in Gaza as a form of “collective punishment” since the events of 7 October.
According to figures released by the Gaza Ministry of Health, deemed credible by the UN, the nearly eight-month conflict has resulted in over 36,000 casualties in Gaza. Additionally, approximately 2.4 million inhabitants have been displaced, exacerbating what NGOs on the ground are describing as a “major humanitarian disaster.” For their part, Israeli forces have confirmed the deaths of several hundred soldiers, in addition to the 1,189 people who died in the 7 October attack in Israel.
On the diplomatic front, Algeria submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council on Tuesday, calling for an immediate ceasefire. The draft resolution was circulated during an emergency meeting of the Council convened following the Israeli bombardment of a displaced persons camp in Rafah on Sunday. However, despite diplomatic efforts, fighting persists across all regions of Gaza, with no signs of abating as of Thursday.
