Gaza (QNN)- Israeli forces killed two Palestinian children on Saturday as they were collecting firewood to warm their families and cook food, amid Israel’s continued blockade of much-needed aid entering the war-torn enclave. The killings come as Israel continues to violate the ceasefire, despite the transition to phase two of Trump’s plan, killing hundreds of civilians.
Medical sources in Gaza on Saturday said the children belonging to the same family were killed when an Israeli drone struck civilians gathering firewood near Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza.
The two were identified as 13-year-old Salman al-Zawarah, and his 15-year-old cousin Mohammed al-Zawarah.
Also on Saturday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said the number of child deaths caused by cold weather since the start of the current winter season has risen to 10 with the death of another child. “The child, Ali Abu Zour, aged three months, died due to severe cold at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.”
Israel has violated the ceasefire more than 1200 times since it took effect in October, restricting the entry of desperately needed aid, including fuel, medicine, tents, and shelter materials, and killing hundreds of civilians.
At least 481 Palestinians have been killed and 1,206 others wounded in Israeli attacks since October 10, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Severe fuel shortages have forced many Palestinians to search for firewood wherever they can amid low temperatures that drop as low as 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) at night these days to warm themselves and cook food.
Heavy winter rains and strong winds have brought new challenges to displaced Palestinians in the war-torn Gaza Strip.
Gaza’s Government Media Office reported that 127,000 of the 135,000 tents have been rendered unusable because of the recent extreme weather.
The harsh winter conditions have also caused the collapse of previously damaged buildings by relentless Israeli bombing, leading to the deaths of at least 25 people since mid-December, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Medical sources in Gaza have reported that hospitals across the territory have been observing an influx of patients, particularly children, with cold-related illnesses.
UNRWA confirmed that “harsh weather in Gaza has led to a surge in respiratory illnesses. Severe overcrowding and the lack of dignified living conditions have contributed to an increase in skin diseases, and the spread of lice.”
Israel’s two-year war has destroyed more than 80 percent of the structures across Gaza, forcing hundreds of thousands of families to take refuge in flimsy tents or overcrowded makeshift shelters.
Humanitarian groups have immediately urged Israel to allow unimpeded deliveries of aid to Gaza.
“Entry of distribution and aid in the Gaza Strip will proceed without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not associated in any manner with either party,” Trump’s “20-point peace plan” says.
Recently, more than 100 aid groups accused Israel of obstructing life-saving aid from entering Gaza and called on it to end its “weaponisation of aid”.
