Kathmandu— Israeli attacks throughout the Gaza Strip over the past 48 hours have killed at least two people and injured several others, with reports indicating victims remain trapped under rubble. A medical warehouse within the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital complex was struck by a drone on Saturday, while separate attacks targeted areas in Gaza City and Deir el-Balah. The strikes come despite an existing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, raising concerns about escalating violence in the region.

Attacks Target Medical Infrastructure

An Israeli drone strike hit a tent used as a medical supply warehouse inside the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital complex in Deir el-Balah on Saturday, injuring three people according to the hospital’s director. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, claiming it targeted a Hamas commander within the hospital compound but providing no evidence to support this assertion. Another incident involved an explosive device dropped by an Israeli quadcopter near Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, as reported by hospital officials.

Rising Casualties and Missing Persons

Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported a total of 10 bodies received over the past 48 hours – nine newly killed and one recovered from under rubble – along with 18 wounded. The ministry also stated that numerous victims remain trapped beneath destroyed buildings or in areas inaccessible to emergency services. The Palestinian Centre for Missing and Forcibly Disappeared Persons estimates between 4,000 and 5,000 Palestinians are missing and believed to be under rubble. They further suggest that between 2,500 and 3,000 individuals may have been subjected to forced disappearance during Israel’s military operations.

Long-Term Impact of Conflict

Since the ceasefire took effect last October, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that Israeli attacks have killed 1,313 Palestinians. The Palestinian Centre for Missing and Forcibly Disappeared Persons based its recent estimates on an analytical study of 317 cases, finding that 95.27 percent of those examined were male, including 41 children and 17 people aged 60 or older. Overall, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and over 174,000 injured since the start of Israel’s war in October 2023, with most casualties being women and children.

The situation remains volatile as Israeli attacks continue despite the ceasefire agreement, hindering rescue efforts and contributing to a growing number of missing and potentially forcibly disappeared individuals.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.